5.19.2011

Awesome Birthday!

What a FABULOUS 30th birthday.  
I know I've said it before, but around here, we find any reason we can to CELEBRATE! With that said, I woke up to this. . .
And this. . .
How sweet is my family?
 I got a bunch of cards and some wonderful gifts
I got a package from my mom and dad.  Along with my bday present, she sent me this cool trivet she got on her recent trip to the Phillipines.  It is made entirely out of newspaper and magazine pages.  So cool.
Graham got me thirty gifts! Whoa!
1: Forgotten God by Francis Chan
2. coffee mug
3.  Dallas Cowboys t-shirt
4. arm band for my phone when I work out
5-20: 15 songs on iTunes (see how he did that?)
21-30:  my favorite candy--Reese's cups and Tootsie Rolls (sly dog)
A lady from church, whom shall remain nameless, got me this koozie--Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress.  I'll let you figure out the acronym for that one. :)
I had to get a pic with my girls even though I am the only one looking at the camera.
I know...my husband is fantastic.  It's chocolate fudge with strawberry cream cheese filling. And I'm here to tell you, it tastes as good as it looks.
Since Graham had Equipping Class last night at church, we went to dinner with friends tonight.

I had a wonderful 30th birthday! I hope my 30s are even better than my 20s.

Goodbye to a Decade: 20 and 21

I can't believe I'm saying goodbye to my 20s.  What a GREAT decade.  Aren't the 20s great?

As I was running tonight, I began to think about the past decade of my life...WOW, what a difference ten years makes!

I don't typically get sentimental about age, but this decade included some pretty major stuff in my life...and well, it's pretty special to me.

Here goes:

*Twenty - I'm not gonna lie, I thought I had arrived.  No longer a teen, no longer living with the folks, making my own schedule, still getting moolah from my parents--yup, I'd arrived alright.

I was living in an apartment with a friend and going to school at UCA in Conway, AR.  There was lots of late night chats, petty arguments, and a ton of fun--too much!
Uhhh...That would be moi at my apartment.
(throw away camera age...more poor quality pics to come)

Tid bit o'info: gas prices - $1.52 a gallon.  How bout that?

Jan. 2002:  I met the LOVE of my life.
Before we were introduced, I spotted him and  thought to myself, I'm gonna marry that guy. (pause)  Yeah, right.  You silly girl.  
If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'.
You can see why I fell for this guy! :)

Feb. 2002:  We went on our first date and the rest is history.

Joys: running at Salem Park after work, watching FRIENDS with friends,  layin' out at the pool, Friday night parties
Woes: struggling to live on a budget (great preparation, though); balancing school, work, and fun; arguments with friends
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Twenty-one - I was still living in my apartment in Conway, attending UCA, working at a daycare, and dating Graham.

Spring 2002:  Graham had two back surgeries back to back (pun intended).

July 04, 2002:  After 5 months of dating, Graham asked me to marry him.  At the time, that was the happiest day of my life.
Engaged!

Aug. 2002:  Graham moved to Memphis to begin seminary.  I thought it would be the longest school year of my life, but we made it!
Me - at one of our wedding showers

April 2003: We loaded up all of our belongings and moved them to our new apartment. I finished up school and moved home for my final month as a single lady.

Move in day:  I guess I was pumped about our new place.

Joys: planning my wedding, finding the perfect wedding gown, hanging out with my new family, wedding showers, going to church, hanging out at Jeff & Yvonne's with Graham
Woes: spiritual growing pains (definitely not a woe, but it felt like it at the time),  saying "goodbye" to college friends


More to come.  Stay-tuned. . .

5.18.2011

Special Snapshots

Ava Grace 9 months
Can you tell why I love this photo?  It just makes ya smile, right!?!

Click HERE for last week's pic.

5.17.2011

"Sisters, sisters..."

Y'all know how much I love Irving Berlin's "Sisters, Sisters", right?  I love the lyrics, but I added a few of my own in RED. . .

Sisters, sisters
(At times,) There were never such devoted sisters
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir, (ahem)
I'm here to keep my eye on her (and boss her)
Caring, sharing (uhh...)
Every little thing that we are wearing (we match)
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome (where?)
She wore the dress, and I stayed home (why?)

All kinds of weather, we stick together (mostly true)
The same in the rain and sun (mostly sun)
 Two different faces (so true), but in tight places
We think and we act as one (so false)
Those who've seen us (adore us)
Know that not a thing could come between us (except Daddy)
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can (or we scream real loud)

LOVE MY GIRLS...I pray for each of them every day.  AND, I pray for those "misters" who will one day come in and sweep my sweeties off of their feet.  May they love my daughters, but love the Lord even more.