Brandi's Birthday Party

Here's the info:

Brandi's 30th Birthday Celebration

Friday, Sept. 28th

7:30 pm

Kelly N. (nursery Kelly)'s house

Other info: It is a SLUMBER PARTY, but staying the night is optional. If you can't stay the night, please come for the other stuff!! We'll be making pizza, so bring your favorite pizza topping -- we'll have the cheese, sauce, & crust. Call me if you need more info.

Happy Birthday, Brandi!!!

In honor of Brandi's 30th birthday, here's my list of 30 reasons why I love her. I know there are more than 30 and these are in no particular order, but it's a start!!!

1. She is so creative.
2. Her thoughtfulness surpasses all others.
3. She loves homemade gifts!!
4. She started a coffee group that I miss tremendously!!
5. Her personality is like no other!
6. She's been through some rough things, but they haven't changed the way she is -- she isn't bitter about it all.
7. I love her phone calls!
8. She has some of the most well-behaved children I've ever been around.
9. She has the patience of a saint!
10. She spends half of her day loving on nine kids in kindergarten!!
11. She likes to scrapbook!
12. She can wear those shoes she bought in Arlington and get away with it!
13. She loves & supports her husband.
14. She is such an encourager.
15. She loves to send people cards.
16. She is a friend to everyone.
17. She is a great listener.
18. She is a great gift giver.
19. As a life group leader, she took on the task of teaching the kids in her life group.
20. She loves to worship.
21. She is very relaxed and she doesn't have to have everything perfect.
22. She is the reason we are at KLF. (Well, her and Randy)
23. She is the reason Payton goes to Cornerstone.
24. The first time I met her, she had me with "Do you scrapbook?".
25. She invited me to mommy group.
26. She has 5 kids and they are not a burden to her.
27. I love the times where we've laughed about something so hard we can't breathe!
28. She is an amazing writer!
29. She hears from the Holy Spirit and she's obedient.
30. I just love her because she's Brandi -- and everything that means.

Brandi, I love you so much!! I hope that your birthday was amazingly special!! This list by far doesn't do you justice, but they are just a few things I love about you!!

For everyone else, we're having a SLUMBER PARTY on Friday night for Brandi's birthday. Of course, there will be a few twists that I'll tell you about later. But for now, mark it down and be there!!!

Brandi is THE WOMAN!!

I get a phone call on Thursday that says to be at Brandi's house at 7 pm on Friday night. That's all the information I got. Now, I don't like surprises, but I was trusting Brandi on this one!!

We got to Brandi's house at straight up 7 pm and when the door opened, I hear "New York, New York" playing on the CD player. I was so excited!! But, not near as excited or amazed as when I came into the living room and saw this:


And, I can say that I don't think the pictures even do it justice!! It's a HUGE mural of NYC and we all have our own stores!! It is complete with a Business Records Management building, Jaxon's Baby World, Evan's Pet Store, Rachel's Scrapbook Heaven, and Payton's Sporting Goods!! I'm trying to find a place in my house to really hang this thing! It was so awesome!!



I head to the kitchen and see this spread of food!! New York hot dogs!!


I love New York t-shirt cookies that Brandi made herself!!


An Empire State Building cake made by Donna herself!!


Songs about NYC playing in the background!! I was in heaven!! I was so surprised!! I loved EVERYTHING!!!

We ate dinner and then opened presents -- oh how I love presents!!

ERICA, STOP READING FOR A SECOND. JUST SCROLL DOWN:


I got an Andy Warhol bag that is black and white with purple flowers on it. On the handle, it says "My favorite smell is the first smell of spring in New York. . . " I love it!! It has a banana shaped coin purse inside of it! It is so cute!!! Thank you, Joel & Trish!!


OK, ERICA, YOU CAN START READING AGAIN:

I got a really cute card from Brandi. It was so cute!! On the envelope, it had Brandi's name with a big X over it and then it had my name. On the inside, was written a really cute note by Christy (Miles' nurse) and it was marked out with a note from Brandi on the other side. The P.S. said, "Look, it was either a handmade card OR a party! I went with the party!" I'm so glad she did!! It was awesome!!

I got a zebra wallet from Dustin & Krissy that I love!! On the inside of it was a gift card to Sharky's and a gift card to Lowes and some cash!!!! I love it! It has so many pockets and places for stuff!! And, it matches my purse that I have now and when I do "upgrade" to a zebra purse, it will match it, too!!

Then, Brandi tells Randy to go get the present. Randy comes around the corner with this zebra suitcase!! I said, "Oh my gosh!" outloud! I was so excited!! I had been in the store a few weeks ago with Aaron's mom and I saw it there. I stood there trying to justify the purchase, but I couldn't. And, there it was -- all mine from my amazing friend!!! Now it's even more special!! Brandi told me I could use it when I really do get to go to NYC!! I love it!!

Then, we all played a game of "Apples to Apples" (get it? NYC -- the big apple?) when in the middle, the doorbell rings. In walks Mia & 2 of her friends as "show girls". I don't even remember the song they danced to because we were all laughing so hard!! Oh, I think it was "All That Jazz". That was definitely one of those things you just had to be there to see. Describing it wouldn't do it justice -- at all!! Thank you, Mia!!!

Randy ended up winning Apples to Apples, but we kept playing. I think Cody won "second" -- or first loser as he put it.

I had Aaron take a few pictures of me with Brandi and Randy. I cannot believe how much work they put into that mural and the party itself!!

I'm telling you, I am so blessed to call Brandi my friend. Someone asked me yesterday how we ended up at KLF and when I was thinking back on it, I remember the first thing we ever went to was Brandi & Randy's life group at David & Candy's house. Jocie was a little baby. We just felt comfortable there. Then, at the end of the night, Brandi said, "Do you scrapbook?" Right then and there, she had my heart!! ;) Who knew at that moment, I had made a friend for life. For that, I am very thankful!!

So, here's to the bestest best friend in the whole wide world!!!
(Yes, I had to crop Randy out of this photo. In the picture of just me and Brandi, I blinked. And, don't pay attention to the rabbit ears!!)

ETA: Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much, Trish!! You ROCK!!! Your idea was the BEST!! Thank you for taking my feelings into account (that I hate surprises, etc.)!!!! You were instrumental in me having the best birthday party EVER!! Not to mention that bag!! I love it!! Thank you so much!! I could never thank you enough!!!

I am the most blessed person in the whole world!

I cannot tell you how amazing my birthday was and how amazing my friends are!! Here's how my day went yesterday:

* My birthday present from Aaron was a hair appointment. Weird, I know, but that's what I asked him for. But, I thought he would be able to watch Evan for me, but he had a big job, so he couldn't. I called down a list of people on Friday morning to see if they could watch him and I couldn't get anyone! But, PAM came to my rescue and agreed to watch him for me!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, PAM!! It was so much easier without him there for 3 hours!!

* I was supposed to meet Aaron at Sharky's for lunch, but my appointment took a little longer than planned. He called at 12:15 and I told him it would be another 20 or 30 minutes. He tells me that my college friends are there! I had no idea they were going to be there! I'm so disappointed, but they waited on me.

* I head to Sharky's and call Pam to tell her about my surprise lunch and she says to go and have fun! THANK YOU AGAIN, PAM!! We got our Sharky's burritos to go and headed to their house to enjoy some Donna Halliburton salsa -- the thing that started our friendship!! It was a blast! I love hanging out with them because they just love me. They don't look at me as an "old married woman", but they truly love hanging out with me. Not to mention, they gave me a $50 gift card to Hobby Lobby!!! WOW!! I love those girls!!

* I go pick up Evan and head home. Pam, I cannot thank you enough!!

* Aaron gets home and I know he's hiding a surprise in the garage. It's 2 more dining room chairs from Brenda, my sister, & Aaron's grandma!! THANK YOU, BRENDA!!! I really did need more chairs for as many people as we always have over here!! I was very excited to see them!!!

My party just deserves a post all of it's own!! Stay tuned for that one!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

It's 5 am and I can't sleep . . . more like I can't breathe. Please pray for me today! These allergies are making my nights (and sometimes days) miserable! It would be awesome if God healed me on my 30th birthday from these things!!

Anyway,

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY
TO ME!!

Deep Conversations . . .

With Payton having the chicken pox these past few days (yes, you read right -- chicken pox), we've had an opportunity to have some interesting conversations. I just thought I would blog about a few of them.

I was painting Jaxon's room and Payton walked in. Here's how our conversation went:

P: Mom, what if a black person and a white person were in love?
R: Well, I think that's ok. They're just people, right?
P: Well, it would be weird.
R: I think it's only weird if you make it weird. I think it's just fine for a black person and a white person to love each other.
P: (just kind of shook his head yes and walked away)

It was just weird having that conversation!! Remember that staff meeting (for those of you at staff meetings) where we were talking about race? It was just weird to have that conversation with all of you and then have it with my six year old (six and a half if you ask him).

Then, today we were on our way into town and the boys both had suckers. Evan's stick was sticking out of his mouth and it looked like a cigarette. Payton told me about a boy on Ethan's football team who picked up a cigarette butt and put it in his mouth and tried to convince the coach that he was really smoking. So, here's how this conversation went:

P: Mom, have you ever smoked a cigarette?
R: Yes.
P: What was it like?
R: It was gross -- really gross. I took one breath and didn't like it.
P: What happened when you smoked it?
R: I started coughing and choking so I just put it out. I've never picked up another one.
P: How old were you?
R: I was 17.
P: Who were you with?
R: My friend.
P: What was her name?
R: Lori
P: How old was she?
R: Probably 18 or 19.
P: I only know one person in our family that smokes and it's Uncle (my brother). He also drinks beer. Mom, have you ever drank beer?
R: Yes, once.
P: What happened?
R: I was with my friend and she told me it would be good. I took one drink and almost spit it out. It was really gross.
P: Why do some people think beer tastes good and some people don't?
R: I'm not sure.
P: Who was your friend?
R: Lori.
P: The same girl?!?!
R: Yes. You know what I learned, Payton? I learned that just because my friends are doing something, it doesn't mean that I have to do it.
P: I know, Mom. Mom, how old is Lori now?
R: Probably 32 or 33. I haven't seen her in a while.
P: Does she still smoke and drink?
R: I'm not sure if she does or not.
P: I bet she does because once you start those things, it is hard to stop.
R: I bet you're right.

WOW! Who knew all of that was in my 6 year old?!?! I love how he's already thinking about things and I'm glad he felt like he could ask me those questions. I pray that those questions will continue and he'll keep asking me.

My Saturday in a Nutshell

* 2:00 am -- Got to go to bed after most of the girls were asleep at the camp out.

* 7:30 am -- Some girls were awake. Head to Clyde for the morning donut run.

* 8:15 am -- Make it back to the camp out after stopping by my house to pick up coffee creamer because some of the girls wanted coffee and Erica said ok (I secretly thought that was kind of cool). Start tearing down tents and getting girls stuff together. We still seemed to manage to lose a few pairs of shoes and I came home with someone's pillow.

* 10:00 am -- Head home after making sure Kelly's house was all clean and tidy.

* 11:30 am -- Head to Wal-Mart for children's church stuff

* 12:00 pm -- Aaron and the boys move the "swingset" from Arrowhead to our house -- Thanks, Kathy!

* 1 pm -- Make it back home. Search for Aaron's hammer. It's disappeared.

* 1:45 pm -- I realize that I bought two kids in children's church gift cards to Wal-Mart. . . their parents don't shop there!!

* 2 pm -- Lay down to take a nap because my allergies are acting up.

* 4:30 pm -- Wake up to see these pictures:


Good thing -- Aaron did have them both cleaned up by the time I woke up.

* 4:50 pm -- Evan gets tackled in a bed of fire ants. Payton comes running in the house and Evan's screaming. Aaron knocks all of them off of him and this is what was left:


(The blue is left over paint . . . not from the fire ants.)

* 5:00 pm -- Payton has a theory on the fire ants. He says, "Mom, you know how Jesus arose? I think what happens is that dad goes out and puts out the poison on the ant bed and he puts water on them because that's what you're suppose to do, but on the third day, they come back to life. It's kind of like they're just knocked out or something." Payton is proud that he was Evan's "hero" and got Aaron so quickly.

* 5:40 pm -- Evan's running around and most of the bites have disappeared.

* 6:15 pm -- Aaron leaves to go take Cole's trailer back and go turn on the a/c at the school for tomorrow morning. He then heads to Abilene for Bryan's party. I'm staying home with the kids because my head is all still plugged up and I feel like I can't breathe. Evan complains a little that his bites are hurting again.

* 6:35 pm -- Payton decides to teach Evan how to ride a big boy bike (without the training wheels)


* 6:37 pm -- They crash.


* 6:45 pm -- Sit down to blog about the day.

* Now heading to my scrapbook closet to try and finish Justus' calendar and another "secret surprise"!! ;) I'm secretly hoping to get Jaxon's room taped off so I can start painting this week!!

I'm DEFINITELY God's Favorite!!

Over the last few weeks, I've been trying to get a plan together for Jaxon's room. I had the idea, but I had to get it on paper. So, I made a list of everything I needed for his room to be complete. I decided that the first thing I wanted to do was paint and it would be the coolest Dallas Cowboys room ever!

So, yesterday I got my graph paper out and sketched it all out -- where the lines are going to be and how big they're going to be. It actually came together pretty quickly.

Now, here's where it gets awesome -- Trying to match the Dallas Cowboys colors. I've been to Lowe's 3 times trying to find paint chips that would match. For hours, I've thumbed through my paint book that Randy gave to me trying to make a match. When I went to take my laser level back, I was again looking at paint chips and I realized that all I needed to do was take a jersey in and have them match the color! DUH!!

But, the tricky color was the green for the "field". Today I went to Home Depot to find paint for the field. On my way there, I realized that it was just before 2 pm and I had to buy the paint and go to Wal-Mart before I had to pick the boys up at 3 pm. I was a little panicked, but I prayed and asked God to help me find the right color very quickly and help me make a decision on it -- something I'm not good about right now. I also prayed that there would be someone at the paint counter when I got there so I didn't have to waste time trying to find someone.

So, I walked in Home Depot and headed for the paint section when I see this Dallas Cowboys jersey up on the wall. I saw a huge poster next to it that said something about your "team colors". I went down to the Glidden paint chips and there was this pamphlet there with all the NFL, NHL, NBA, and college teams. They had already done the work for me!! There it was -- Dallas Navy, Dallas White, Dallas Silver, & Dallas Blue!! Hip Hip Hooray!!

But, today I was specifically looking for the green. I turn the page and there is a room with a football field on the wall. I took it to the lady (who was already at the counter) and told her I wanted that green and that white. We found the color and she mixed it up!! I walked out of Home Depot at 2:07 pm.

I cannot tell you how excited I was!! I made it to Wal-Mart and made it on time to pick up the boys, but if I had to stand there and find a color and make a decision, I either would have walked away (again) with no paint or not gone to Wal-Mart (which was a necessity trip -- we were out of TP) to get the boys on time. God totally had me taken care of!! Of course He did!!!! I'm his favorite!! ;)

Remembering 9/11

I didn't realize what day it was until I got in the car this morning and heard them talking on the radio. The question was: Where were you on 9/11?

My answer:
I was at home at 710 West Palm in Enid. Payton was a baby and he had slept in that morning. I got up around 9:30 and turned on the Today show. Both buildings had been hit. I wasn't sure what was going on. The news crews were quiet. Then, the first building fell. I thought maybe they were demolishing some building in NYC. Boy, was I wrong!

I was glued to the tv most of the day. . . listening to most of the theories on what was going on and who did it. I remember that Aaron came home from work for lunch and he said, "My guess is that Osama Bin Laden did it." I had no idea who that even was.

Gas prices went through the roof. I went to a friend's house that afternoon and there were lines everywhere of people trying to get gas. Gas prices were well over $3 a gallon (I can't remember the exact amount). People were kind of freaking out about it all. I guess it was kind of scary not sure what was going to happen. I was amazed at how many theories there were. All kinds of "formulas" to the reason it happened on 9/11 to the flight numbers.

I remember knowing that I was witnessing history. The thing that my kids would someday study in history class, I was witnessing it first hand. The thing that you would remember where you were and what you were doing when it happened. The thing that would change our nation and the way my kids grew up in it.

Update on Payton

First off, I want to say a HUGE thank you for everyone that has called to check on Payton and for those of you who have been praying for him. It has been over a week now and there aren't any signs of Mono!! YAY God!!! He hasn't had a fever in a few days and he has been playing football at school and hasn't been tired that I know of!! His nose running is part of allergies, I think, and although I believe God can heal that too, I'm just excited that we aren't having to deal with the mono!!

Strange Request

Anyone have a laser level? One of those level things that shoots out a laser so you know when things are level? I'm going to start painting Jaxon's room soon and I'm going to do a few horizontal stripes and I thought it would work perfect, but I don't want to spend the money on one if someone has one. If not, seems like I saw one at Target for $15 a while back.

UPDATE: The more I thought about it, the more I figured I would use a cool tool like that, so I just went and bought me one. So next time someone needs one, I have one! I also have a wallpaper stripper machine thing if anyone needs it sometime (at least I hope Erica still has it!).

UPDATE #2: Why didn't I think of Randy? I think I'll take mine back and let someone get it for me for Christmas. I know the perfect person for that!! ;)

I'm BACK . . . well, kind of

I'm back at a computer and anxious to blog about our weekend!! We had such a great time!! We got to Dallas before rush hour (very important to us). I got a phone call just blocks from my friend's house to tell me that she is engaged!! We missed seeing her by just a few minutes, but it was too crazy to turn around and try to find out where she was.

Anyway, we went to Joann's to look for some Dallas Cowboys fabric. They had some, but not what I wanted. So, we went down the little strip mall to a few stores. Then, I took Sally to IKEA and we walked around, but I don't think she was as impressed as I was!

Saturday morning, we got up and headed to Canton. We walked from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm without stopping. Let me tell you, by the end of the day, my legs didn't want to move!! We saw close to the whole thing this year. We thought we did that last year, but we found out that we were wrong last year!! I bought some wrapping paper and some tulle. I also bought a zebra print diaper bag. I also found the "ribbon guy" that was there last year, although I didn't buy as much ribbon this year. It was crowded, but not too bad. It was hot, but not scorching. We had a $5 corn dog for lunch with our $2 bottle of water!! My sister hit the jackpot on a few things, but most of the things there are more her style.

We hit the outlet mall on the way back to Dallas and I bought Jaxon a few outfits at Osh Kosh for $3.99 & Gap for $2.99. I was going to take Sally to Sam Moon, but it was already closed. We went to the scrapbook store, but I walked out without buying a single thing (I know, shocking!!). We went BACK to IKEA so my sister could get some blinds and I bought Jaxon a dresser. We ate dinner at Chili's, which tasted so good after our busy day. We totally ran out of money, so we decided to head back on Sunday.

This morning, we got up and Sally wanted to go to the Bass Pro Shop before we headed out of town. We decided that it would be a shorter drive for her if we just went to Wheeler and I could meet up with the guys and head home on Monday. We stopped at a junk store -- well, antique store -- on the way home and Sally was almost in heaven! Me, not so much. So, after 6 hours of being in the car, I'm in Wheeler with the boys. We decided that we will be going again next year and save up some money this time . . . well, we said that last year, too. Oh well! It was a blast!!!

Please pray for this: My hands and fingers are swollen. Even my toes are swollen. I know those are "normal pregnancy symptoms" but they are annoying. It hurts to bend my fingers. Even my watch isn't fitting right now.