Done deal...

December 14, 2010, I officially purchased the hotel. Once and for all...it is my baby.
I asked Bob's assistant to take a couple of pictures to commemorate the occasion.

Very seriously signing my life away...

Banker Bob must have said something funny, because I cracked a smile.The congratulatory present my parents sent me in honor of the closing. Beautiful. The card said "You did it"...and of course I cried.

Show Choir in Branson

The Sullivan Show Choir recently performed this past weekend in Branson, Missouri. Reese looks so handome in a suit. My jaw dropped the first time I heard him sing a solo. Who knew this kid could sing! I'm also impressed with the boy's dancing ability. He definitely didn't get any of this from his momma. We're so proud of you, Reese.

My baby won District!

Reagan Renae Ramsey won the District Cross Country Meet in Plainview, Texas, Octpber 27, 2010. Her time for 2 miles was 13 min 39 seconds. Wow. We are so proud!The family.

I am one proud momma.

She's not even touching the ground.

The only thing passing Reagan is that truck.

go, go, go Reagan.

Bridgette is securing Reagan's hair while Reagan is getting her Zen on.

36th Birthday

Yesterday, I turned 36.
Three dozen... as my father sweetly reminded me...
and twice Sage's age.
I'm actually at a pretty good place in my life, and I'm not the least bit concerned about getting older. Not yet, anyway.
On my 36th birthday, my final loan application was officially submitted to the SBA and I am scheduled to close on the deal by the end of the month. Quite the milestone for this farm girl, indeed.
However, my best thing of all is my four children. And they always will be. Nothing in the world can meaure up to the joy of Sage, Bridgette, Reese, and Reagan.

Birdie turns 17

Even the pups were a part of the celebration. Of course...it's Bridgette

Bridgette was honored by sitting on the saddle at Texas Roadhouse while everyone says "YEEEHAW".

Mema's Funeral

Gramps and Sage

BB

Me and Rhealene

David, Gramps, and Richard

My blondies-Reagan and Sage

Fast Ramsey Runners.

Reagan earned 3rd place out of 224 girls running in the cross country meet. She ran 2.2 miles with a time of 15:05. Can't wait to see her run at the district meet later on this month.

Reese's girlfriend

Paige and Reese. We really like Paige...and Reese, too.

Sage came to Missouri

Sage came for a visit and we sure enjoyed seeing her. While she was here she got pink highlights in her hair. Looks good.

Vegas

I went to Las Vegas for the first time to attend a hotel convention. Went sight seeing, watched some fools lose thousands of dollars at the blackjack table, and saw Cher perform at Ceasar's
Palace. Despite our marital status, Don and I had a great time.

for Reagan

When I divorced...Reagan asked me if I was going to change my last name. When I told her I didn't have anything to change it to, she said I should just pick one. Her suggestion: McLovin. Can you imagine...Amanda McLovin...
Since I didn't honor Reagan's wishes on that one...I decided to heed her advice when I named my LLC.
So...in honor of Miss Reagan...aka Miss Thang...
McLovin Properties, LLC, is officially registered with the Missouri Secretary of State.

Weekend with Sage

Sage came to Missouri to visit us for the weekend. We sure had a good time playing board games, watching movies, eating out, and laughing. While she was here she also ventured out of her comfort zone and dyed her hair pink. Cute isn't it?

Bridgette and Steven

Reese did a great job taking these photos.

Cross Country

It is such a blessing that my two little Ramsey kids inherited their dad's running genes. Reese got some of my clumsiness, and Reagan got my diva-ness, but at least they possess some athleticism. Reese placed 16th in his first meet of the season. Medals were only presented to the top 15, so that was a bummer. He shaved one second off of his time from last year.
Reagan placed in the top ten at her meet. She even beat a lot of the boys that were running the same time as the girls. We'll find out this week exactly what place she received.
It's labor day weekend I have worked all weekend since my house is empty. Reese went on a float/camping trip with friends that included a Barber Shop Quarter...only Reese. Bridgette went to the lake with Steven and his family and attended a Catholic church for the first time. Everyone at the Ramsey house was sick at their stomachs:(
I should've been cleaning, but I needed to stay busy and be around some people. I have a couple of my housekeepers from the hotel coming to clean my house later in the week. One of them asked me if I had a big huge house. I just smiled and explained to her that my home is very small and very average. It is interesting to see people's assumptions and I would love to see their faces when they actually walk in and see it. Not at all what they expect, I'm sure. Perhaps they will see a more human side of me and know that I am not that different from them afterall.

Catching up

New and interesting things going on...

Bridgette has to have her wisdom teeth extracted. Fun, fun. I was sixteen when I had mine taken out...and due to my drug induced state, I behaved horribly afterwards. I'm hoping Bridgette will spare me the trouble I gave my mother. Bridgette will be spending the weekend at the lake with Steven and his family. Steven's mom said anyone that is with them on Sunday WILL be going to church, so Bridgette will be attending a Catholic church for the first time.

I am so proud of Reagan for being elected class president. I couldn't stop laughing when she told me she was 'President Reagan' and hopefully there would not be an assassination attempt on her life. Hysterical!!!! Reagan runs in her first cross country meet this weekend.

Sage seems to be doing well adjusting to college life. I talk to her often and I'm really enjoying taking part in this important stage of her life. It is so exciting.

Reese....Mr. Social...has such a busy schedule that I hardly see him. He's been honing his craft of photography and has really taken some amazing pictures. He plays in the band at the first home football game on Friday and then has a cross country meet on Saturday.

I am still plugging along with the loan process. The experience is akin to giving birth. I'm in the labor stage now...and it is a long and painful labor. Once the deal is complete, I'll be estatic just like I was when holding my newborn babies. Then I will immediately forget the pain that was involved and want to do it again. Geez...somebody please stop me!

Praline

Reese Ray Ramsey

College Bound. Look out WTAMU...here comes Sage!

Getting ready to haul it all up to her room.

All her crap...

The convoy...How many goobers does it take to move a kid into the dorm? Getting organized.

The Grandparents.

Me and my baby. I can't believe college got here so fast....wasn't she just in kindergarten????

I am so very proud of our Sage.

Johnny Appleseed no more

The kids and I have been baby-ing our apple tree in the backyard. We we're anticipating a big crop of red delicious apples in which to make some apple butter. Looks like the crop was too big for the tree and it split. This weekend Mr. Clemens...aka Walt, and the kids...aka, Toad and Su, will be cutting and hauling branches. Fun, fun.

First Day of School

Reese is a sophomore and Bridgette is a junior.

First Checking Account

I woke the kids up to go to the bank first thing this morning. They each opened up their very first checking account. They were mortified that I was taking a picture, but I so didn't care.
Now I don't have to worry about never having any cash. They have their own debit cards in which to use at the ATM.

Ellie and Stogie get buzzed

Bridgette took the pups to the groomer to get summer haircuts. They seem much cooler which makes them much happier.

Me and Reagan

CCW Permit

Exciting Endeavors

This has been an exciting last couple of weeks. I enjoyed Reagan's visit immensely, and was thrilled to know she is contemplating moving up here at some point.
Secondly, I received loan approval for the hotel. It is still going to be a grueling process to get all the paperwork completed, but I am excited nonetheless. I am tired of looking at bankers! This is a huge undertaking for this west Texas girl, but I am ready for the challenge. Instead of changing my last name to McLovin, like Reagan suggested....
I'm thinking Patel is a little more fitting:)

Next on the agenda:
school starts next week!

Zipline

Me, Bridgette, her boyfriend, Steven, Reese, and Reagan experienced the Caveman Zipline at Meramec Caverns. It was a blast, but HOT.

On the last leg of the journey, Reagan overheated and almost passed out. Poor baby.