Whew...what a week!

I have been super-busy lately, so haven't had a chance to get to the library to blog in a little while.

I was given a HUGE surprise 40th brithday party by my dear friends on Saturday night, and was TOTALLY shocked and suprised, especially at the special out-of-town guests that came!!

I have been spring cleaning and ended up also recovering my dining room chairs and here's what they looked like before

and after.

We have been having a lovely spring, although it's been a little on the cool side.

And now I'm off to another meeting with Justin's senior class and parents...so have to run. Maybe one day soon I'll have a chance to really get caught up?!

No wait, we are going to look at a college this weekend...so lots to do to get ready for that!!!

Oh well, just know that I'm still here and at least I'm not BORED!

Happy Birthday to Kate!

Just wanted to take a minute to wish my dear friend, Kate, a happy 29th birthday! We had a little suprise spa party last night for her. Here are some photos of that fun time.

SURPRISE!!!

Getting a facial and a make-over.

Hope you will remember this birthday party for many years to come!! Love you, little Lady!

Happy 40th TO ME!!!

It's Friday, the 13th, and it's my 40th Birthday! Am I scared, freaked out, nrevous, sad?! Are you kidding???? I'm lovin' it! I think this is going to be the best year of my life! God has some great things in store for me and my guys, I just know it!!!

So, here's a photographical trip down memory lane. For those of you that have known me all my life, you might remember some of these pictures. For the rest of you, don't laugh too hard!!! Gotta love the seventies and those colors, the eighties and those glasses and poufy sleeves!

All right, here we go!

Born in Dayton, Ohio, the first born child, grandchild, AND great-grandchild

(on my Mother's side) Me and my grandma, she was only 38 when I was born! YIKES!

Me and my Mommy

Bye-Bye, Daddy!

Hugging my Bible...I can't remember one single time I didn't know about Jesus!

My Uncle Mike's wedding...the first time around! :) I'm on his lap.

Yes, it was 1972, forgive the print in the dress!!
Nine years old

Fifth grade Eight grade
16, and thinking I knew it all!!!

19 and realizing I didn't know so much! I'd love to get back to this size someday!

20 and marrying the man of my dreams!!

Graduating from CNA school.Our first family photo, with chubby little Justin.

My brother and I, on his wedding day, 1996Mother's day, 2005Clayton's birthday, 2006

And I plan to live happily, AND forever after!!!

Book Discussion

Ok, my cousin Dorie, who is lurking here on my blog :), had told me about this book. And several other people have asked me if I had read it yet, so I finally picked it up from the library and started reading it. I couldn't put it down once I started! I was crying by page 59, I think. And I had to keep a notebook handy so I could write down all the quotes that I wanted to remember.

You have to keep in mind several things when you read this:

1. It is fiction

2. It isn't neccesarily a doctrinal book!

I thought it along the lines of Pilgrim's Progress, or Chronicles of Narnia, lots of allegory, imagination, many gems of truth waiting to jump off the page at you.

I know some people have said, "that book was weird." But I enjoyed it, and learned a lot from it, it touched my heart, and I hope they make it into a movie someday!

Here are one of the quotes that I plan to write down and hang on the fridge...

"Pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly. And if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place."

That has been so true in my life, and I'm finally at a place where I'm beginning to "get my wings back!"

So, that's my review, or just my view, of the book, "The Shack." Read it for yourself and see what you think. Let me know!

I'm counting down the days...

until my thirties are over! My Mom called and asked to take me to lunch on Wednesday, since she was off work. So we went and got chicken, and had a good time. So, here's a photo from that!

Clayton's ALL DONE!!!

Well, today, Clayton finished up with all his core subjects for this year! I'm so proud of how well he's done, he has a 98% average, and is reading better than I ever dreamed he could!!!

Daddy was home today, so we decided to make it a family affair and celebrate CLAYTON. I made a little extra money this week, so we headed to Clayton's favorite place...5 Guys! Now, this is NOT the place to go when you're on a diet (as I currently am trying to be), but it's a celebration, so I just enjoyed myself and will get back on track at the next meal!!

Here's some pictures from today.Here's Clayton with his teacher and Principal!

This boy is crazy about his Daddy, as I always prayed he would be!!

And here's Clayton with his Daddy and classmate! Ha!

I wanted a photo of just Clayton and I, and it was like pulling teeth! He was so afraid it was going to appear mooshy-gooshy, and we were in a restaurant! There was lots of, "MOM, get off me! MOM, please don't kiss me!" And after I promised that I wouldn't, the only way we got this photo was if he could put me in a wrestling head lock!!

Boys...grrr...can you see the NEED I have for girls???!!!

What a GORGEOUS Day!

Right now, I'm absolutely LOVING the temps we're having, high 70's with just a little bit of cloud cover...that's MY idea of Heaven!! Yesterday, it was just beautiful, so after church, Joe, Clayton and I met up with my Dad (pictured above) and two other couples for an afternoon motorcycle ride on the Foothills Parkway. I'll show you the pictures and you can see for yourself why I feel so blessed to live here!

Happy Early Birthday To Me!

This past week, our friends, David and Joy, (pictured above!) took Joe and I to a super-cool restaurant we have downtown to celebrate my 40th birthday a little early. And another great couple came along, too! I was so glad Chris and Kate got to join us. It was so fun, especially since Joe and I have never been to this place before.

You know, for the most part, you can tell what stage of life we're in because we go to restaurants that have jello!!! I'm so excited to say there was not a trace of jello here!!

But there was THIS for dessert!!!

Us three girls shared this one piece of cake, and we couldn't finish it all!! Should we mention that David, who will forever more be known as "Sugar Daddy" had a piece all his own and wolfed it down faster than you can say, "Diabetes!?"

It was such a fun evening, I came away feeling so blessed at being surrounded by such loving, giving, caring people!! And I'm extremely excited at the prospect of turning 40! Thank you David, Joy, Chris, and Kate, for giving Joe and I one JELLO-FREE dining experience that we won't soon forget!! :)

Basketball Season is over!

Clayton's kind of sad, I'm not sure how I feel, but no matter, the season has ended. We are so proud of the way Clayton improved at every practice, he learned so much, and even lost a little weight in the process. Here's a picture from last night's awards. Clayton's in the blue hat. They gave them Upward backpacks. It was a great program, and we're looking forward to next year!!

Two New Baby Girls!

I am at the library and I have exactly 6 minutes left on this computer to put this blog together!!! Talk about pressure...

Just wanted to let you all know that Joe's nephew, Kevin and his wife Lorrie had a baby girl born Sunday. I'm not sure what her name is, but I have heard it's supposed to be Cameron, and shortened to Cammi.

Also another new "official" addition was added at David and Karen's house today. Angelina is theirs!!!

Please rejoice with us as this family takes the challenge to "be fruitful and multiply" personally!! :)