One of my favorite days....

Dear Carson,

     On this day, in 2008, at 9:13pm, you came into our world.  You made me a mother, and daddy a father, to a healthy, 8lb 10oz little boy. A day that is by far one of my most memorable and favorite days in my entire life. In the past four years you've learned to walk, talk, ride a bike, write your name, and play baseball. You've had 3 surgeries, and more bumps and bruises than I can even count! You are pure boy, and I LOVE IT! Each day is always an adventure with you. Your love for us shows, and we love you so much also. Your smile, your hugs, and your kisses melt my heart!

     Our whole world changed on this day 4 years ago. I wouldn't have it any other way. We've watched our incredible little guy go....

From this...

To this!

Happy 4th Birthday Carson!!!!!!

Friday Free For All

I know it's been a while since I blogged, I've been crazy busy with getting things ready for a certain little boy's 4th Birthday party this weekend. I will blog all about it next week. We are having a big Pirate party tomorrow, and his actualy birthday is on Monday. Exciting fun times for us! Now on to the past week in review:

Work- Has consisted of more emergnecy preparedness trainings this week....but I've still managed to keep on top of all the stuff piled up on my desk also.

Gram- Today my grandma is coming home from the nursing home. I'm still not sure we are all ready for her to come home yet, but its happening regardless. She's very alert and "with it" lately. She's still wobbly when walking but its ok, hopefully she continues to approve.

Birthday Party Prep- So far this week, I have made a treasure chest, stuffed a pinata, stuffed 16 treat bags (for his 2 parties), and bought loads of food. I still have to make the cake and cupcakes for tomorrows parties also. I will be posting the party pictures and how to create your own pirate party next week. This has been a big DIY adventure that I have loved!

Nephew's Birthday Party- Last weekend Cman and I went on a camping trip for my nephew's birthday party. It was hot, and rained half the time, but we still had a blast! I haven't gone camping in probably 18 years, and it was wonderful to be back outdoors again. We floated down the Meramec River 3 different times in 2 days. Cman loved the water and loved playing in the mud the rain left behind. E really enjoyed his birthday party too. It was great to see my brother, sister-in-law, and E. Can't wait to see them again this weekend for our little pirate's birthday.


I know it's short, and all over the place, but stay with me. Next week is going to be great....lots of good posts planned for you all next week!

Hi I'm Becky...the midwest cornfed mom!

Changint it up a bit this month for the link up.... I am borrowing this A-Z format from a couple of ladies from last month's link up. Hope it helps you understand who I am....you can also find more about me from my previous Blog Star link up here.

Getting to Know Me from A-Z 

Age: 28 (ugh, did I just admit that?!)
Bedtime: Usually around 10:30
College: LakeLand College (and soon to be Southern Illinois University @ Edwardsville)
Dogs: A Beagle/Dachsund mix, named Daisy
Everyday Necessity: Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper
From: Illinois
Gold or Silver?: Gold
Holiday: Thanksgiving, I love the homecooked fat filled food :)
Ice Cream: Strawberry
Job Title:  Public Health Registered Nurse
Karaoke Go-To Song: ??? never done Karaoke
Live: Central Illinois
Movie: A Walk to Remember
Night or Morning Person?: Night Person
Outdoors Lover?: Yes! But lately it's been too hot to go outside for longer than 2 minutes :(
Pet Peeves: People who are hypocritical. People who leave their car running/parked at the door to the store when they are perfectly capable of parking in the parking spaces 30 feet from the door!
Quirks: I have to lock my car doors immediately after getting in the car regardless of where I am at. I cannot function without a diet coke or diet dr pepper EVERY morning. I over use LOL and :) in texts, blogs, & twitter.
Restaurant: The Ribeye...It's a local steak place that literally only has 4 things on the menu...2 ribeyes, grilled chicken, or steak and shrimp. BEST SALAD BAR EVER!
Sports: hmmm...I like hockey, football, and baseball.
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs. Primarily the Blackhawks though :)
Urban or Rural?: Definitely rural. Our town literally has 1200 people in it. There's amish families within 5 minutes of me, and our traffic jam is waiting behind a tractor on the 2 lane highway.
Vacation: Dream vacation is Hawaii or the Virgin Islands....but for now I love going to Florida yearly with my boys.
Weather: I love a beautiful, warm, sunny day.
Xtra Special Fact About You: I was born with 12 fingers....seriously, I had the skin and starting nubs of extra fingers, but the Dr tied them off with string when I was little so I was left with little wart looking bumps til I was 18 and decided to have them cut out.
Yogurt (Fro-yo) Toppings: Sprinkles....or crushed oreos, lol.
Zoo Animal: Zebra, or Alligator, or Penguin...random I know!

Dinner Last Night

It's the title of a song that I really like from O.A.R.....But this post isn't about that. It's really about dinner last night, haha.

Dinner last night was incredible. I grilled the BEST shrimp and vegetables that I have ever made! How you ask? Well, lucky for you, I like to share my secrets (or not secrets, lol).

Parmesan Grilled Shrimp
1 lb. frozen, cooked, peeled shrimp
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Mix all ingredients in bowl, toss with shrimp. Grill on medium heat approximately 5 minutes per side. I use a grill basket for mine.


Grilled Vegetables
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Toss vegetables with pepper and olive oil. Grill in grill basket on medium heat for 5-8 minutes, turn vegetables over halfway through cooking.


My husband does not eat vegetables other than broccoli, but he ate these. The shrimp was delish also, it didnt have any fishy taste at all, like it usually does when I grill it.

Sorry for no pics, hubs ate it all before I could get any!