Winter Activities To Do In Northeastern Oklahoma

Wintertime in Oklahoma is always unpredictable. Sometimes there's snow. Sometimes there's sleet. Sometimes there's sun and warmth.

You just never know what the Sooner State has up it's sleeve.

But there is always something to do around here, even if you have to drive a little ways away to have a good time.

Hey, they don't call this Small Town America because everything is close by. My hubby and I are big on road tripping so it works out well for us.

The Christmas Tree Farm
Owasso, OK
End of November - Mid December
Prices for trees varies

Isn't this tree BEAUTIFUL?!

The majority of our winter activities begin on Dec. 1st. We make our annual drive up to Owasso to the Christmas Tree Farm to pick out a tree. Then, we drive home. Kelly thinks we lose the tree on the highway EVERY year. But we don't.

Their drive-thru tree service is great! You pick out a tree. An employee hands you a number. You goinside and admire lots of Christmas tree ornaments. You pay. You get into your car. You line up and wait for the guys to load your tree for you! Honestly, it's the easiest tree buying experience of MY LIFE. And we can't wait to go every year.

The Christmas Train
Pryor, OK
End of November - December (dates vary)
Admission: Adults (12+) $18, Kids (2-12) $15, 2 years old & younger free

The carousel at the Christmas Train 2013

In our house, we have a saying. "If you're lucky enough to get tickets to the Christmas Train, you're lucky enough."

Yes, tickets to this thing are almost impossible to get unless you know the exact time the tickets go on sale. Listen, I don't know how many tickets they sell, but they sell A LOT. They sell out quickly. So quickly that we have only gone one year out of four.

That's probably because we're ALWAYS busy and miss ticket sales. They go fast. But if you get tickets to this awesome event literally 15 miles from us, you MUST go. They have a train. They have the Christmas story. I held back lots of sobs on the train, especially when I saw Jesus on the cross.

There's cocoa, coffee, shopping, food, a puppet show, a carousel. If it's Christmas-y, they've GOT IT. And it's lots of fun. Our whole family went and we all had a great time last year.

Rhema Christmas Lights
Broken Arrow, OK
End of November - January 1st
Free Admission

Photo Credit: rhemabiblechurch.com

This is one event I have not yet been to, but a lot of my family members have gone and they have LOVED it. I'm hoping to make it to Rhema next year. This year our schedules were just too busy. But this is one event that is on my to-do list for next December. It's family-friendly, but always crowded from what I have been told. So, prepare for lots of people, but a safe environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy the holidays. 

Silver Dollar City

Branson, OK

Check Website for Open Dates

Seniors (62+) $61.26, Adults (12-61) $63.41, Children (4-11) $52.66, Children 3 & under free

If you want to read about our AWESOME SDC adventure, you can do so here. While this is an almost 3-hour drive, it's a MUST. If you want to see everything, plan at least two days for your visit. If you only have a day like we did, you can still get through a large majority of the amusement park.

We rode several rides and the train, ate lots of yummy food, and walked around the shops. My only warning is that this amusement park is in the Ozarks, so there are MANY, MANY hills. Bring comfortable shoes. 

If you find yourself searching for some fun events to do in and around Northeast Oklahoma, I hope you check these out!

--Jessica

Helpmeets, Tips, and a Store

OK so there's a lot going on in my blogging world. I took an extended vacation from blogging because my teaching schedule was SO hectic. There was no time between traveling, teaching and preparing lesson plans to sit down and blog.

But I'm hoping that's about to change. Because I've taken on TWO new blogs!

Yes, I know I'm crazy.

Yes, I know I'm busy.

Yes, I know that's a LOT of writing for one person in a week (I'm averaging 16-17 blogs per week).

But I really do love writing. And sharing. And passing on information to people.

California Girl Meet Small Town USA was always meant to be a blog that focused on my life in Oklahoma. But it sort of branched out into a string of other things. And I found a passion for sharing my wife adventure and helping others with their computer needs. So, I decided to return CGMSTU back to it's former glory.

SO, I created "The Helpmeet Chronicles" to put all past, present and future posts on Bible goodness, wife lessons, and fun little blurbs found in my studying. It will help me compartmentalize my life. At least, that is MY HOPE.

You can find it HERE!

Just writing that makes me feel like I've already taken on too much. But I have faith that it will all work out.

I may go through large, heaping amounts of delicious Starbucks coffee, but if that's the downside to be a crazy person, I guess I'll have to be OK with that.

I teach A LOT of classes. I mean, A LOT. And there are tons of different subjects--all pertaining to the computer. I spend LARGE amounts of time writing up How To's for my students and decided that my students probably aren't the only ones in dire need of easy tutorials about How To Create A Folder On The Desktop.

That's where Tips For Computer Teachers was born. I started this blog a while ago, but abandoned it halfway through. Not because it wasn't helping people, but because I was too busy. However, I know that the more information I put out there for other teachers to help their students, the better we will all be off. So, it will be a blog filled with lots of tips and resources for computer teachers...or just the average computer user who is in desperate need of help.

And, BECAUSE I AM NOT CRAZY ENOUGH, my husband convinced me to create an Amazon Store to feature all the items posted in my blogs for those interested in purchasing them. That includes, but is not limited to: books, movies, kitchenware, textbooks, dog stuff, etc. But if it makes finding and purchasing items easier for YOU, I am all for it. 

Also, if you, too, find yourself in need of help creating your own store, I'd be more than happy to pass on my knowledge. 

Anyway, that is the CRAZY I have been working on for the past couple of weeks. Not to mention the hours of research that goes into embedding ads, taking pictures, creating graphics and doing all the dirty work. The writing part is EASY part because I am never without something to say. It's all the fluff that takes up large amounts of time. Thankfully, I married a man who likes to grab a cup of hot cocoa and keep me company while I am sitting in front of the computer laboring over tiny details.

If I am MIA for a while, please forgive me. Tax season is right around the corner and I will be elbow deep in W2's, not to mention THREE blogs. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

--Jessica

Family Game Night: Hasbro's Empire Monopoly

I married into a family that's BIG on Monopoly. Me? Well, I'm more of a Life girl, but Monopoly has slowly worked its way into my heart. 

My mother-in-law picked up Hasbro's Empire Monopoly for a steal at Wal-Mart, so we had a family game night.

My father-in-law cooked us dinner. Pizza and spaghetti. Yes, we carb-loaded. Because that's what you do when you play Monopoly for 4 hours. Oh, and we ate peanut butter pie and apple pie. Because that's also what you do when you play Monopoly for 4 hours. You eat.

My husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and I sat down to play this game. We thought it would be exactly like Monopoly, but it's not. Only up to four people can play at a time. 

At first, we were kind of disappointed. But we pulled out our little game pieces--I was the Angry Bird--and placed them at Go.

I think to fully understand the extent to this game, it's best to play a practice round where everyone helps each other because the premise of the game is to stack billboards onto your "empire" tower. The first to the top wins.

It's also important to read the directions out loud to EVERYONE playing so EVERYONE understands the rules. We may have had to stop and reread a couple of times because directions were not made clear to EVERYONE. That, however, is not the game's fault. It was my husband's. Who only read some of directions out loud to us. Yes, it is safe to assume he won the practice round.

Once we got the hang of the game, we started to buy up billboards. Billboards are just like properties, except you're stacking them on your empire. 

There are still chance cards and new cards called Monopoly cards. They have all kinds of awesome moves I only wish the original Monopoly had. One of my favorites is the "Just Say No" card. Anytime an opponent tries to take a billboard, asks you for cash, etc., you can use the card and the action cannot be done against you.

There was also a "Reverse Rent" card. Your rent for each billboard is the total amount of all your stacked billboards (range $50-$800). If you land on someone's billboard and they ask you for rent, you can use this card to have them pay you the actual amount instead.

There are plenty other cards that are just as fun and make the game equal parts frustrating and awesome.

We really enjoyed this game and played several rounds. I ended up winning twice after a terrible losing streak. Yes, that is my single yellow Utility billboard all by itself while everyone else was stacking their numerous billboards high. 

This is the perfect family game for anyone who loves the Classic, but is looking for a fun, updated version.

How the games are similar:

1. Chance cards.

2. Go, Go To Jail, Free Parking

3. Buy up properties to collect rent (though versions differ on how rent is paid)

4. Utilities remain the same (though they do not collect rent when landed on in Empire)

5. Multi-player

How the games are different:

1. Stack billboards to reach the top of your "empire" vs. Hotels

2. Companies vs. Properties

3. Monopoly cards vs. Community Chest

4. Empire is a shorter board so make sure you COUNT your spaces (some rows are 9 vs. 10)

5. Only 4 players at a time

Visit MY STORE to find Empire Monopoly, Classic Monopoly and the Game of Life right now!

Worth, My Theme For This Year

It happens every 365 days. I pick a theme for the year.

I'm not huge on New Years Resolutions. I have never stuck to a New Years Resolution in my life. So, I don't give myself unrealistic expectations. Setting myself up for failure accomplishes nothing.

I have lots of goals I want to see come to pass. But really, I want to have a heart that loves Jesus and loves others well. Goals are nothing without love.

Really.

Take it from me.

You can chase the world with an empty heart and gain all the things you are searching for.

But if you don't have love, then what do you really have?

Last year, my theme for the year was contentment. And God put me through some pretty rough seasons where I learned that contentment is an on-going practice. Seasons change and I have to learn to change with them.

Oh, we went through some rough seasons this year. Filled with uncertainty, pain, and heartache. But God was steadfast through it all. And I came out of 2014 knowing that "the LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

So, I have gained a few more contented bones in my body after 2014. It was the year of growing my faith in ways I never could have imagined. Ways I only hope God keeps asking of me.

Well, this year is an interesting theme. One that has been tugging at my heart for a few weeks. It's not a theme I would have really considered if it hadn't been for a string of events that led me to a place of discovering I'm shaky on my worth.

Are you? Or is it just me?

I get called a lot of untrue things, probably like most of you. Namely a lazy housewife, someone who doesn't have a 'real' job and a terrible teacher.

Friends, I know I'm strong. I've got some thick skin. But with so many people speaking so many negative things over my life, I find myself searching God for my worth time and time again. And he never fails to remind me that every hair on my head is precious to him. Every. Hair. He makes me feel so loved.

God also blessed me with a husband who likes to remind me how much he values me. He showers me with flowers, chocolate, fancy dinners, kind words, and lots of laughter. But even all the wonderful things he does for me doesn't erase those mean words.

You would think at 25 I would have a sound understanding of what my worth is. I'm a wife who spends her limited free time ironing and washing dishes. Work that I never thought I would enjoy, but I do. I love those down hours spent in quiet submission before God. I talk and he listens. He talks and I listen.

I try to make time in my busy schedule to do Kelly's grandmother's nails once a week because I know she loves sitting with me at the dining room table trading life stories. It's not even about the nails; it's about her having time to talk and socialize. It's in those hours that I quietly ask God to bless me with a granddaughter someday who loves to take care of an old woman's hands.

The many hours that go unnoticed by those around me are filled with my worth. The hours poured into the lives of others. Because God put me here to help people. And while I know that all the behind-the-scenes work I do won't make it to the front stage for everyone to comment on, I have to keep focusing on my purpose; not what others say about me.

Sometimes, I want to kick myself for caring about what others think. I guess I'm only human; words can penetrate this thick skin and wound me.

We live in a society that tells us if we're not perfect, we're not worth a whole lot. And a lot of women striving for perfection have bought into that lie.

And since I'm about as far from perfect as one can get--and I'm really open about it--it leaves me with a lot of criticism.

It bothers me that we have let the ideal woman ruin our self-worth. There is no ideal woman. There is no perfect woman. There's just a bunch of flawed, beautiful women in this world who can all contribute something good, if they're willing.

I have to keep reminding myself of that because the world can tear my self-worth apart in two seconds flat.

So, this year, I want to find my worth in God's eyes. I want him to strengthen my heart in this area.

He knows my flaws. He knows my limitations. He knows every tear shed over the harsh words of others. He knows me. And he chooses to call me his own.

This year, my theme verses are:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139:13-15

At the end of 2015, I want to praise God for who I am--who he made me to be. And I want to be so firm and solid in my worth that the world can't shake me.

I invite you to join with me as I make worth my theme for the year. If you're struggling with your worth, remember that every hair on your head is precious to the Creator of all things. Every. Hair.

Jessica

Decorating Cookies with Preschoolers

To be young again! How much I would enjoy the endless hours of play, creativity and learning!

I guess in some ways, I'm still learning new things everyday.

Yesterday, I learned that when a preschooler pours an entire bottle of sprinkles on a paper plate and covers their mouth and says, "Oops!", I've just gotta love them through it.

We decorated cookies for our belated Christmas party. It was much more difficult than I anticipated. Next year, we will frost the cookies and let the kids sprinkle them. There was a lot of licking plastic utensils and then putting them back into the frosting. 

Have I mentioned I'm a germ-a-phobe?

But they made me laugh the whole time, and that's what I'm trying to foster in my classroom. Love, laughter and a safe place to make an "oops" every once in awhile.

Overall, we had a great day and the kids really enjoyed decorating their cookies. I'm looking forward to this same activity next year!

We Had A Snow Day!

Oh, snow is so magical. Especially when it's in my backyard. And the huskies get to play in it! And it snows on a Saturday morning.

Yes, our Saturday started off with a surprising snowstorm. We had been expecting a light dusting, but it looks like we got about 2 inches!

 The huskies had to come in for a while because the snow was falling so quickly. The snowflakes were HUGE. We spent the majority of our day being lazy and watching out the window.

It was a fabulous time!

Then, reality hit and I realized I needed to go to the grocery store to pick up some frosting for the Sunday School Christmas party.

So, we braved the cold, snow-filled streets to pick up the frosting. It wasn't too bad. We don't have FWD or AWD in the Explorer so we had to test out the RWD. It handles very well in the snow and slush. We were very pleased!

We had to stop and pick up some French Fries from McDonald's because, well, it was SNOWING. And I needed a coffee!

Then, we headed home and the sun came out!

Because it was a snow day, we got into our PJ's early (and I wore no makeup) and spent the evening watching Chuck.

There's more snow in our forecast, and we are looking forward to spending some more days relaxing at home with the Hansen huskies.

--Jessica

The Truth About the Sooner State

Oh, Oklahoma. There's a reason they named a movie after you. 

You are beautiful in EVERY season. 

In the Winter, when the world turns cold and dead. Your fields are filled with snow.

In the Spring, as new life enters, you bloom and flourish beneath the weight of winter.

In the Summer, your thunderstorms bring rain and fill the lakes and ponds with water.

In the Fall, your colors burn bright against the hay-colored fields.

There's no part of you that I don't love. 

From the smell of freshly cut hay to your dirt roads. 

From your open plains to your hilly scenes. 

From your friendly occupants to your small town charm.

Oklahoma, if they only knew how beautiful you truly are.

If they only knew the kind of life you offer those who love to view the world from their front porches, sipping sweet tea.

The truth about you, Oklahoma, the Sooner state, is that you are nothing like they imagine you.