Friday, December 12, 2008

Family Time




We are enjoying being home together and getting ready for the Christmas holiday.

Monday, November 24, 2008

I've been tagged...

Danielle tagged me on this randomness. I never do this kind of stuff, so here it goes! No secrets here.

Here are the rules:

*Link to the person who tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Write 6 random things about yourself
*Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post
*Let each person know he/she has been tagged
*Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I grew up throwing cow chips, tying goats, and showing pigs, and somehow ended up raising my family in the city.

2. I love my job. I can't believe they actually let me call it work.

3. I hated being pregnant.

4. I didn't sleep with a top sheet growing up, and probably still wouldn't if I wasn't married. I just don't think it is needed.

5. I hope to adopt a baby one day. (see #3)

6. I have a huge crush on Kirk Herbstreit.

There you have it. 6 Random things about me. I doubt 6 people even read this blog so I am not going to tag anyone. If you read it and want to post it, great!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

We made the jump!

Ok so as many of you know, I have been putting off turning Austen forward-facing in his car seat. We decided to take the plunge and turn him around. Mostly because he was nearing the top height of Jon Eric's seat and I couldn't bear to turn him around in one car and not the other. This breaks my heart because I see evidence everyday of the benefits of extended rear facing. We remained rear facing until 16 months so I am considering that an accomplishement in itself. He has a very long torso and short legs! (which is good for ERF!) I think I have come to the place where I have justified it in my mind that he is bigger than some two year olds! I am still a huge advocate of ERF and I know it is safer! But it is not safer if he is within an inch of the top of the seat, because he does not have adequate head support. I've added a few videos to promote my stance on ERF. Which crash forces would you want your toddler to endure?


Happy Thanksgiving! We are looking forward to going to Beaver for Thanksgiving, watching my brothers play basketball and then going to stillwater for the bedlam game!


Monday, November 3, 2008

Trick-or-Treat

Here are some pictures of Austen this Halloween.


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Only in Beaver.....

I was reminded why I love my hometown today as I was reading the weekly paper from Beaver. (I have a subscription or I would provide you a link)

This is an excerpt from the minutes of the city council meeting.

"Mayor Ford proclaimed that
Halloween will be observed on
Nov. 1, 2008 because of the
Friday night football game. All
Chamber events and church
events will be held on Saturday."

I love it! Everything revolves around HS sports and the kids of the community!

Monday, September 22, 2008

I know it has been a while

We've had alot of action in the Mueller household. Austen of course is full of life! He has almost begun to run! He loves to push his car down the street in the evenings to the park, and is VERY vocal if we happen to accidentally pass by it!

We unexpectantly lost Jon Eric's grandad a couple of weekends ago. We enjoyed fellowship with our family during this difficult time. Jon Eric has so many special memories of his grandad. I wanted to share a little excerpt of something he wrote about him. Ok...well nevermind... here's the whole thing. I couldn't decide.

That’s granddad

I am not a poet or a storyteller but I wanted to share a few things that I remember about my granddad. I have titled this That’s granddad.
When I was younger I remember my brother, Brad having a birthday party. I was very jealous and upset that he was getting all the attention and presents. So, I went into my closet and hid, upset that I was not getting any attention. 5 minutes later granddad came into the closet and offered me a stick of gum, he always carried packs of Wrigley’s gum. That was his way of saying you’re just as important as your older brother…that’s granddad.

To this day, every time I smell a piece or Wrigley gum I think about the bowling alley. Every time we would go bowling granddad would always offer me a piece of gum. I still remember as a kid going bowling with granddad at Meridian Lanes and if by some miracle I would get a strike I would look up and there would be granddad looking around as if to say, did you see my grandson…that’s granddad.

Growing up and spending a day with granddad on a Saturday meant going to a garage sale. We would take off in the Mustang that he took such good care of and loved so much. We would hit the garage sale hot spots of that weekend. If I found something I liked, granddad would look at the price and just smile. He would offer a price that was ridiculously low and 9 times out of 10 we would walk out of there with the price he offered. When we went and played golf he would pay for the green fee and then say you are going to give the boy a sleeve of golf balls to play with, right? That’s granddad.

Granddad was very competitive; whether it was pool, shooting baskets, scrabble, uno, or any other card game. Most grandparents let their young grandkids win those games so they feel good about themselves, not granddad. Granddad would win and then set the game up as fast he could so you did not have time to leave just so he could win again. I can still hear mema in the background saying… Lawrence!.. That’s Granddad.
I still remember spending Easter at mema and granddad’s old house. It was church and then back to their house to hunt Easter eggs. Most eggs had a penny or a nickel but if you found those special eggs that granddad had strategically placed, you got a quarter…That’s granddad.

The first time I took my wife Katie to meet my grandparents we met up in their apartment at Epworth Villa. It was dinner time and we did not go out for dinner or go down to the restaurant. Dinner was ordered for us and had already been brought up to the apartment by the time we got there… Before introducing my new girlfriend granddad said, oh is this Jennifer? Embarrassingly, looking at Katie, I said no this is my new girlfriend, Katie. We then looked in the living room and there sat a table with a card game ready to be played. He didn’t ask how is the job or where did you guys meet. Granddad said, let’s play partners, I get Katie! Jon Eric, your partner is mema, have a seat! That’s granddad.

I have many more memories I could share but I wanted to save, my best memory, for last. My mom shared this with me. This past Saturday night granddad passed away. Katie and I went to the OSU game and left our 14 month old son, Austen with mom and dad. Saturday afternoon mom took Austen to see the “Greats.” Mom said that Austen and his Great Granddad had a great time rolling Austen’s cars back and forth to each other. Austen is normally shy when it comes to people he does not see on a regular basis. But when Austen saw great granddad, he showed him his cars and they both started rolling the cars to each other. Austen was clapping and laughing as great granddad rolled the cars on the floor. Austen will never remember this but it is something I will never forget. That’s granddad.

Wow! Thats all I can say.

In other news, we have been busy as a family. Jon Eric is preparing for the biggest rowing event of the year. The Head of the Oklahoma. It attracts rowing teams from all over the country.
I have been busy studing and teaching to become a certified child passenger safety instructor. I am relieved to report my instructor candidacy is over and I am now certified to teach. This will be a big part of my new "position" with Safe Kids Oklahoma as the Child Passenger Safety Coordinator.
I also received word tonite I have been selected to Leadership Oklahoma City's LOYAL program. I am super excited to participate in Class IV.

So as you can imagine, our lives will continue to be busy as ever, but we wouldn't have it any other way.


Sunday, August 10, 2008

Watch out World!

Austen is walking! He has definately taken off. Today he was certainly filled with joy about it! Jon Eric and I looked at each other about 7pm and realized he hadn't stopped "talking" for about an hour! We are having a blast.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Purple Cow & Breaking Free

Austen got the leapfrog fridge farm for his birthday. Why do you care? Well I am here to inform you about this toy! It is hard to explain, and I have obviously not been reading my blogging for dummies book because I can't get my permalink to work and show you a pictures, so sorry!
Its a matching game that also helps them learn colors and animal sounds. The problem is that the cow is purple and the sheep is blue! Why in the world would you not just make them their true colors! I digress....

Also some girlfriends and I, as well as their girlfriends are starting a book study. It's over the Beth Moore Breaking Free book. Just a discussion and a wiki! what's a wiki you ask? Its a blog that many people can participate in! Interested? You can join us. We have 23 girls so far from like 5 states! It's gonna be fun!
Send me a comment if you are interested in participating and I'll send you an invitation.
Again, I'd add a permalink if I could figure the stupid thing out!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

He's ONE!






We celebrated Austen's first birthday with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who was able to come! Since turning one, Austen has developed a little attitude. It was on display at the party, complete with hitting and throwing fits! He has graduated from using his hammer all the time to GOLF CLUBS! Hitting everything in sight with them. When you take them away, he acts like he might just die with out it!
Everything I am reading about his age and stage is him to a T. He refuses to eat almost everything he used to like. He bangs on everything, he lowers his head with his pouty face when telling you NO! I'm telling you, my sweet little Austen is turning into... A BOY!

He still likes to watch golf though. He and Jon Eric were watching the British Open this past Sunday. The camera paned toward the crowd who was clapping and Austen dropped his toy and clapped along with the gallery!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

July 4th

We had a great time at the lake July 4th.
Here are some pics from our weekend.



Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Random Thoughts

If you haven't read "The Last Lecture". I would recommend it. Written by Randy Pausch, a renowned professor of computer science who was stricken with pancreatic cancer.
It isn't a story about dying...Its about living! He lives his life with a unbelievable optimistic spirit. His wife is amazing. The book chronicles his life and it seems every one of his experiences had a life lesson to be learned and passed on to his children.

Yesterday I was reminded why I do car seat education! We had a car seat check in South OKC. The parents were the most needy. But they we also unusually inquisitive, and thankful! Almost every seat I checked, the parent asked questions and was genuinely concerned for their child's safety. You don't even get that in affluent areas, most parents want to get a free seat and get out of there!
It was just super rewarding even in the 95 degree weather!

You'll notice a link for Haley Palmer on my blogroll. She is a little girl who lived in our neighborhood in Owasso who recently lost her battle with cystic fibrosis! They are an amazing family! Here's a link to an article about her an another girl from Oklahoma.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

You all knew it was coming...

Its my passion. I believe its my calling to educate others. It's Child Passenger Safety. But really not just child passenger safety, but motor vehicle safety. The bottom line is that child restraints (car seats) and seat belts save lives. In case you need more reasons to believe this truth I am here to educate you with the facts.

*Each year 975 children die in motor vehicle accidents.
*Car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 80%
It is important to use a child restraint EVERY TRIP! But it is also important to use your restraint correctly. Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 child restraints are used incorrectly. The most common form of misuses for all child restraint system (CRS) included loose vehicle seat belt attachment to the CRS and loose harness straps securing the child to the CRSs.

Its important for everyone in the car to be restrained in every trip. Here's why:
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT



EVEN IN THE BACKSEAT





Basic child restraint use suggestions:
Infant should ride rear facing as long as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests until they reach the upper weight limits of a rear facing seat. Some seats that means 22lbs and some up to 35lbs. At the VERY LEAST until the child is 20lbs AND 1 year old.
Children 20 to 40 lbs should ride in a forward facing seat (preferrably a 5 point harness) and always use the top tether for optimal protection.
Children above 40 lbs should use at least a booster seat until the child can fit in a standard seat belt correctly. (Some car seat manufacturers have 5 point harnesses up to 80lbs.)
All 50 states have child restraint laws. 25 states have primary or standard laws for child restraints, meaning police can stop a vehicle soley for seat belt violations.

Ok... I'm glad to get that out. Much more info to come.
Please know I am not making any of this up. Feel free to check my information.
Visit: www.usa.safekids.org or www.carseat.org
I welcome any questions or comments!
I'll leave you with this... The reason for my passion.

Him a few months ago in his new big boy seat!

Hanging in the swimming pool... Some kids have a blankie for comfort...Our has a pink hammer!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Words to Live By

My hair has been successfully repaired. Thank you Kyla!
I'm glad to report not many of you had the privledge of seeing the disaster.

Words to Live By:
"Remind yourself that one day, you will be caught up on laundry, your house will be spotless, and your babies won't fit in your lap anymore."

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

It could be worse

I could be wearing a banana clip and whitewashed denim! I officially received the worst haircut of my life today. Its awful. Its something like this...
I'm the blonde guy in the middle!
Ok maybe thats a slight exaggeration. But not far from the truth. Needless to say, you will not be seeing my smiling face in pictures for a while.

It's official. I'm addicted to blogging....Not just my own blog but everyones. I even bought the book "Blogging for Dummies!" I know I'm a dork, and its kind of oxymoronish (I know, I know) to buy a book about a technology as great as blogging. I guess I should not have dropped my web design class(es) in college. Because now I think its amazing! I have read so many witty and inspiring blogs I just can't get enough. I have added some favorites to my list. The problem is I click to see another post and lose track of what I thought was so great. Hence the reason for the book. I want to learn shortcuts and options, about blogrolls and widgets, RSS feeds, the magic of search engines and more! I hope all of you reading this blog enjoy it and leave comments. There is certainly more greatness to come....
I have so many things I want to blog about, it is a great way to keep track of memories and recount old ones. And you can always go and take a look back...that is unless choose to delete something (which is a great feature!) but is anything ever really deleted from the Internet anyway...


And now I will leave you with the real reason most of you visit this site...
Pictures!!!Our little water baby trying to put his feet into the dirty Oklahoma River!
Playing "catch" with Dad in the outfield of the cowboys baseball game.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

"Tomorrow could be one of the best days of my life"...then it rained!




We are back from NYC and recovering.



Unfortunately, the Yankees/Mets game got rained out. Just to give you some background. I got tickets to see them play for JonEric's 30 b-day, so that is really the reason we went... Thursday was gorgeous and Saturday was perfect. Friday it rained from the time we woke up until after we went to bed. Thursday nite Jon Eric said to me.. just in conversation that tomorrow could be one of the best (most exciting) days of his life. Then it rained...I feel so bad for him. I know he is disapointed. But at least we got to go to the stadium before the tore it down... and it was really cool. We had a great time overall.



We (I) shopped Madison Ave. We went to central park and the 9/11 memorial. There is so much to see and do...It was a great time just to be together! We were glad to be able to visit there. It is definately like another world from Oklahoma. Its a great place to visit, but I could never live there.






I'm sure you've noticed. My pictures were really small last time. I'm working on it! I've posted alot of NY pics on Kodak gallery so I'm not going to post them here. I got a new video camera for Mother's Day so hopefully in the near future I'll be able to share some video blurbs of Austen with you on here. As soon as I figure it out! So for now here are a couple of priceless pics of my little person with personality!


Monday, May 12, 2008


I can't begin to tell you how blessed we are. I have been thinking alot lately about how amazing it is to have a healthy child. I guess working in the hospital just does that to you, I have the opportunity to work with some very sick kids. We've also been personally connected to a couple sick babies recently.


Austen will be 10 months tomorrow! He is getting so many teeth(8) and beginning to cruise the furniture, not far from walking I'm sure. Just a few weeks ago we dedicated Austen at our church. Both sets of grandparents were able to join us for this special day. I've posted a picture below.







Jon Eric and I will be leaving this week for our trip to NYC! We are super excited. Although I am not excited to be away from Austen for 4 nights! I know..I know...you all say I'll be begging for that in a few years... but not just yet.



Yesterday was my first Mother's Day. I have to say, I got butterflies in my stomach when the pharmacist wished me Happy Mother's day. I'm a dork!


I have to brag that Austen has officially begun sports! He is now able to make baskets into his basketball goal... and he loves it... too bad we will have to break it to him that he will probably be too short to play basketball! just kidding!







This past weekend we celebrated Macy Austen's cousin's 2nd birthday. I've added an adorable picture of that day. Macy, Madeline, & Austen.






Friday, April 18, 2008

Where to start.

Well, I finally gave into the blogging craze. I am making no promises! I will blog when I can, and everyone knows how much time I have on my hands. ~ha I just wanted to be able to tell everyone all the exciting things going on in our lives. (especially Austen's)

Speaking of Austen, he is such an amazing joy. Our lives were sooo very boring before his arrival. What on earth did we talk about?

He is just so much fun. He has been crawling like a machine for about a month now. I was shocked the day he started to crawl. No rocking, no crawling backwards, he just took off. About the same time he began to pull up and we learned what an important step babyproofing is.

He is saying mama & dad and just recently bye bye with a wave!

This weekend my Dad got him to say pop!

We are so very lucky to have found a part -time babysitter for Austen. Her name is Natalie and Austen really likes her and I like him to be able to interact with other kids. She keeps 3 other kids ages: 1.5yrs, 6 months, and 3 months.



I love my job working at OU MEDICAL CENTER. I work in the marketing and PR department. I work with a specific program called Kohl's Cares for Kids. Kohl's Department stores provides grants to hospitals around the country to fund public health education in local communities. I feel so very blessed to be working with this program. We are providing an injury prevention initative for the OKC Metro area. This is right up my alley, as I get to pick the focus of the program and this year no doubt we are doing child passenger safety, because this is where my passion lies. Its going to be a challenge in years to come to venture to other areas of injury prevention. I am fortunate because I have a super flexible schedule and only work about 20 -25 hours a week. I love it!



Jon Eric is enjoying his job as the Director of Operations of the Chesapeake Boathouse. This weekend they are hosting the Olympic Trials for canoe and kayak. Its a great event for OKC and when you are in OKC you should visit the boathouse is a beautiful place.