2 days 2 celebrate

Last week was my 46th birthday!

side note:

With all the hard things (is there ever easy things?) 

going on this past year I have completely failed my New Year's Resolution of sending out birthday cards to everyone I love.... excuses, excuses.

 But- let me just say Happy Birthday to my fellow July born friends.

Jane (we share the same birthday), My sister Johnna, Jake the missionary, Jill, Sky, Steph my oldest friend, Lynnie my SIL, Braden & Sarah- Ruthie's kids, and my dear Caroline-- Did I forget you? Leave me a message & I will repent immediately. Yes- next year I will try again.

I was very blessed by getting to celebrate on 2 separate days! But I am also very cursed with terrible pictures. I didn't document the time well.... to say the least. It's ridiculous the pictures I didn't take. 

So please forgive me (older self) as I share this special occasion with lousy photos. Hopefully the journaling itself- will make up for it?

Celebration #1- has nothing much to do with Twinkies- I was in the store & saw them on my birthday though- so thanks Hostess. I appreciate that.

What a HUGE treat- all of my kids- ALL OF THEM- were together with me to celebrate the day before my birthday! I can't even think of the last time that happened? It was a Sunday so it worked out that everyone could be there. We all met up at Megan's new home for lunch after (most of us) went to church with Chloe.

We had fun times playing with the twins.

Chloe hasn't seen the twins for almost 2 months and they have grown tremendously since then!

Brittany came down too- life just doesn't seem right now if Brittany's not around.

Charlie & Joey are so happy to have all their things unpacked-

Charlie especially loves the costumes. Oh it cracks me up!

He changes about every 15 minutes from tiger, to pirate, to monkey... so fun.

We had beef tacos for dinner with guacamole & watermelon. 

It was fabulous.

(sorry about the eating pictures guys)

Then we had chocolate fondue!

YUM

It is really fun and exciting to have all of my kids close enough to get together as a family!

We are starting to plan- once month Sunday dinners & I am thrilled about it. 

Surely we will get together more than that? But as schedules start to fill with Fall coming- I know we will at least have a once a month dinner at Nana's house- I could not ask for a better birthday present than that.

It is truly the greatest gift I have ever been given- to have six beautiful children and to have them close enough to get together as adults, with their amazing families. I try not to gush around here on this blog too much. I think I keep it real most of the time... But really even though we have our share of problems & issues that are difficult... and most of the time I feel like there is nothing to brag about...

 We are going to be getting together for dinner at least once a month and for me that = happiness.

***

Celebration #2

Everyone knows- I am lucky to have this group of friends that get together most Wednesdays. 

We also get together & celebrate each other's birthdays. On the actual day- That's a big thing for us. When possible we get together on the. actual. birth. day. It means something.

OH MY GOSH-

it was so great- 

just so fun.

Did I mention, it was great to get together with my sweet friends on my birthday?

 Cause it was.

We had salads & fresh corn (picked THAT morning) for lunch!

and dessert!

I have to say- I think this was the best dessert I've ever had on my birthday.

Actually it was the best meal overall I've ever had on my actual birthday.

 Thanks everyone for all the good food & presents!

They planned my lunch party around a red, white, and blue theme because of my love for the 4th of July & it's July... it was so fun! All of the many presents were coordinating- ladies you guys are amazing!

I am especially loving this gigantic chalk board I hung on the laundry room door.

Trent & I are having fun switching up decorating it with chalk.

That night-

Brett brought home balloons & pizza.

It's pretty quiet around here now.

Brett & Trent had other plans, mostly work 

so Brittany & I headed to a new store at Farmington Station that I am in LOVE with.

It's Sugar

What a fun place.

I was in heaven, yet overwhelmed at the same time-

Kind of like one of those candy stores in NYC.

Just fun to be in!

It was a GREAT couple of days.

I'm happy to have the privilege to be one year older.

And do have so many candy options so close.

(wink - wink)

so lucky

This summer--- every week--- once a week- Wende takes Trent swimming with her family. Every WEEK! Trent is so lucky, that I am so lucky, to have such a good friend!

{she even ordered pizza for dinner- wowza}

Last week Chloe went too & guess what? Trent's summer dream came true- they stayed until the pool closed. He was so excited to see what happened when the pool closed. Everything shut down, the lazy river stopped running, and the life guards started stacking the chairs & cleaning up. riveting.
Allie & Ethan were there too. Ethan is Trent's summer BFF. They have had the best time swimming & playing with Lightening McQueen and his cars 2 friends. I've gotta say-- school is coming much too fast.

It looks cloudy from this picture, but it's not. Just dusk.

It's been a great summer.

Especially since he hasn't had to have "summer school" for most of the month of July- he decided he didn't want to do it anymore. Rude awakenings are coming as we get back in the groove later this week.

We are also - so lucky - because we got to see these 2 this week!

He is getting so big- love the baby yawn.

just a great thursday!

You won't believe it...

but last week-

I actually didn't have to work on Thursday!

So- I invited my Creative Thursday friends over for lunch & creativity at my house.

I was so so excited to have everyone over.

For lunch I made Butternut squash soup & popovers.

I am all about popovers these days!

Kristy heard me say I wanted a popover pan at least a year ago & bought me one. My first week of work a lady came into the store looking for a popover pan ... we talked all about them. I told her how I had a pan, but was so intimidated by the recipes I'd seen. She assured me it was easy & not to worry. I went home that night & made a HuGE batch.

I've been making them ever since!

Lauri brought cokes & Wende brought treats to snack on.

Kristy brought some work- but the rest of us chatted away without any productivity! It was okay... we haven't had a Thursday together for way to long.

Kristal came & even Karrie showed up during her lunch hour.

Gosh- it was so great to all be together again.

Best of all- Janae brought the. most. delish. coconut cream pie!

It was heavenly.

While they were here I let Brett announce the BIG JOB news!

It was fabulous to celebrate!

I really love these guys & consider our friendship a great blessing in my life.

Guess what?

I don't work on Thursday this week either!!!

SweeeeT!

sunday farewell

Yesterday we went to Sacrament meeting at one of Jack's best friend's services.

It was amazing.

Second from the left in the dark suit is

Zach

Zach is going to leave on Wednesday for the

Indianapolis, Indiana mission.

Listening to Zach talk was so emotional for me. He is such a great kid. I've seen him grow from a little 9th grader, to a H.S. student, then a college student, & now a confident man.

A mom can't ask for more than GREAT friends for her kids...

and Zach is one of the great ones for sure.

Good luck Zach - dunk some peeps!

I was so sad I didn't take notes & vowed to myself...

that's it!

I'm bring a notebook to church & taking notes from now on.

I have read about Michelle & Jill doing it for forever now, and I know it will make a huge difference in how I come away from my Sunday meetings.

those guys are so inspiring...

jack's day

Yesterday was Jack's big day.

The day he spoke to our congregation & guests (loads of friends there) before he leaves for his mission to Brazil on April 6th.

His topic:

the Worth of Souls

I am his mother... but I think he hit it out of the ballpark.

It was beautiful to hear him speak of Christ, the potential in all of us, the gift of this life, and how we should be more like Him by loving one another.

a mother pay day- for sure.

Man I love this kid.

AFter ward, we had a load of teens, family & friend over to eat.

Many had come from college etc. with a drive back awaiting them.

It was great to have Ruthie & Greg here & their family.

You just can't believe h0w many sweet friends brought food & well wishes.

These two seriously saved my bacon.

Brittany has skills- catering skills, people skills, hard working dish washing skills & even mopping my floor skills. I couldn't have made it all happen without her- well, I could but it would have been so much harder! thanks brittany- I love you.

friends

cousins

brenna-

I love brenna
she's one of jack's oldest friends

The peanut & brian.

the peanut did not like brian even though brian tried really hard to get on his good side.

(the peanut loves me... I am so proud)

more friends

cousins

cousins

dudes

more dudes

lauren & adam

the peanut & his favorite guy...

his big brother.

It was a great day!

I wish you could have been here.