Party Weekend + Quotables

Well, it was a fun-filled weekend... Friday night was Tiffany's birthday party -- Dinner at El Guapo then red velvet cheesecake at my house then seeing A Dog's Purpose at Carmike! Yay for celebrating Tiffany!! =)

Saturday morning from 10 to 12 was Jace's 5th Birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza (first time I'd been there - cute and fun).  Mom had me stop to pick up a helium tank on my way in, and we scrunched several balloons into my car for birthday fun!

Here's a quick Flipagram with some of the party pics. We took 480 pictures in those 2 hours, and saved 240 of them - it's kind of like writing - you end up cutting half of it out, so doing more than you think you need is the best plan. Kids are just so alive and active and great for candid pictures because they could care less about the camera being there - they just play their games or eat their cake or put on their masks and light sabers without paying you much attention. Oh, and it makes me smile that Jace has made two friends in their regular Chick-Fil-A trips: Bethel, who has come to babysit for them a few times, and Zoe, who came to his bday party and brought some stuffed Chick-Fil-A cows as gifts! lol  ...Anyway, I'll do a Memory Monday on the party later with more pics and stories. =)
 (DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE BY VIGO VIDEO APP!) =(

Sunday was LifeChurch (always better in MWC), family lunch at Cheddar's (yum!), then an afternoon baby shower for Wesson and Nash (so excited to meet the twins soon)!!!

Sunday night was "dinner and movie night," although there was very little actual movie watching this time. All 14 people that I invited were able to come, so it was a bigger crowd than usual, but all super fun people! :)  The girlfranz were a big hit with their precious Boo haircuts... that pic of the guys with them on the couch is my new favorite!! lol

Jessica was a big fan of the flufflepuffs!

BabyBells being adorable. lol

A few more pics: The Fultons, Laura and the "vat" of "nuclear onion" salsa, JEM putting things on his head again :), posed candid of Chettles reminiscing through old scrapbooks, the girls table (we fit all 9 girls there with the leaf pulled out - I'm impressed that it worked), Kelly and Tiffany, JEM enjoying Mom's veggie bars, Chet Lee and Sarah, Kelly and Evan helping Jeff off the floor after his mini-nap! lol

Happy  Quotes:

"Do you drink a lot of sweet tea, Kyle?" ~Kevin, upon hearing TK's resolution to have no sweet tea in 2017
"Oh, maybe one a week." ~Kyle
"WHOA, slow down!!" ~Kevin :)

"I think I'd still have to hold on to the wall if I go out skating!" ~Rach, discussing T&C's upcoming skating bday party
"Doesn't your mom have a walker you could use to roll in front of you?" ~Babah, already laughing at that image
"Well, I'm tryin' not to look like an idiot!" ~Rach
"Oh, that ship has already sailed!!" ~Babah, with all the sarcasm lol

"Man, Satan was real in Walmart last night! There were giant Reese's hearts and then the little Debbie snack cakes. It was rough."
~Tiffany on eating healthy lol

"It's always dangerous to go shopping when you're hungry!" ~Me, responding to Jon's story
"I'll be honest - I don't even need to be hungry to want it all!" ~Jon :)

(This reminded me of the time in 2008 when Chet and I went shopping for the express purpose of stocking up on healthy foods, then there were little girls selling candy bars right outside the store, and we only paused for a tiny second before we both bought one and laughed at ourselves! lol)

"I'm so ready for Friday to get here so we can stop seeing previews for Split!" ~Me
"Yes!! M. Night Shyamalan is a SICK MAN!" -Tiffany, super serious lol

Jaceman:  "Guess who hugged me today!? CLA-IRE!!  ...Kyndal, who hugged you?"
Kyndal Faith: "Nobody.... *shrugs shoulders* That's not nice!"
PRESHFACE! lol

Jace:  "Boys don't like girls sometimes, so I don't like them anymore!" 
(He goes back and forth on that a bit.)

Kyndal Faith, looking at the mousepad pic:  "Mama, up (making Rach move her hand with the mouse in it) ...That's you... and that's Lindsey."
Rach:  "Yeah!!" :)
K, laughing:  "And you're naked!" 
Rach: "Noooo, I have a shirt on right here, see." lol 

(This is the pic. Their innocent confusion on that subject is cracking me up every time!)

"May I say something about your baking? That... looks... really gross!" ~T-man, seeing the veggie bars lol

Jace (he's weirdly sensitive to certain smells and scooted away from me when they broght our food out at Cheddars): "Ugh, I don't wanna smell your nachos!!" lol

Jace:  "If there's ever a real monster, I'll go get my light laser and tell 'em to get the hell outta here!!"
"Well, maybe say heck, not hell." ~Rach, (after recovering from laughing)
"But they're MONSTERS!" ~J
"Yeah, but 'heck' is still good." ~R
"Okaaaay, but I'm still gonna use my light laser!!" ~J, meaning the light saber he got at his party

JEM: "Hey, your Blue Atlas Cedar is growing and looking good!
(Me looking around assuming he was talking to Chet)
Chet: "Your tree!"
Me: "Oh... hey, thanks!"
JEM: "That's a quote!" lol

Top 10 Tiffany Tribute! ;-)

Happy Friday, friends!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my awesomesauce friend, Tiffany!! #28isgreat

Top 10 Tiffany Tribute:

1. She has a very kind and compassionate heart, and she's a wonderful caregiver and nurse!

2. She is a true friend who is emotionally sensitive and will "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."

3. She has a lot of Godly wisdom and insight, and she makes seeking God and spending time in prayer a major priority! There have been a few times when I've texted her to hang out and she's told me it was a Tiffany and God night. lol I love that.
4. She's funny and outgoing and a naturally joyful person who brightens people's lives!

5. She has a calling and passion for youth ministry, and she's been influencing young women to become closer to Christ as a devoted youth leader and mentor for several years now!
6. She's laidback and easygoing, doing her best to make others feel comfortable!

7. She is truly resilient! She has endured a lot of heartache and loss, but she continues to turn to God and to choose love and hope in the midst of her pain.
8. She is encouraging and thoughtful, often sending texts just to check in or say she's thankful for my friendship.

9. She's a great travel buddy, always up for a fun adventure or a lazy low-key movie night!

10. She is trustworthy and a good listener and dependable friend!

I'm so thankful that Tiffany and Angie joined our women's lifegroup 4 years ago... and thankful she was willing to share her testimony with the group early on, and she was quick to speak up when I mentioned having an extra JT concert ticket! That was the first time we did anything one on one, and our friendship has grown a lot since then, and I'm very grateful for that!!

This was a random text that became a hashtag we used a lot. #freetiffany lol

Happy 28th - it's gonna be great!! ;-)

Throwback Thursday

Here are a few fun pics from this day 3 years ago...

The Miss K being a delightful preshface, as per usual!! :)

Two fluffapuppies whose playful bites were sharper than they knew, hence the oven mitts! lol (The 2 years ago banner was from last year.)

T-man getting baptized by his dad at LifeChurch, while Agim watched and cheered! :)

Love this!!

And finally, the Jaceman with Mitch and Jake - we wanted a pic of the three of them, but Rach had to take away his golf club to get him to sit down for a minute, so this was the pic we ended up with. lol

Aww, 2014 fun!  That's all I've got for now. I randomly got sick this morning - sadness - felt very nauseous and was telling myself it was all in my head, but I was wrong. :(  After sleeping till 2:05 pm, I feel quite a bit better now.  Hopefully ready for the busy weekend ahead - 2 birthday parties - one here and one in OKC, a baby shower for twins, and hosting a movie night Sunday!

Cheesy Goodness

Since Facebook is quite consumed with politics today, I'm worried that National Cheese Lover's Day is not getting the attention it deserves. lol  

So here's a random list of My Top 10 Favorite Cheesy Foods:

1. Maggiano's Fried Mozzarella!  It looks like chicken parm, but it's just cheesy goodness!!
2. Applewood's Cheese Soup!  Mom and I loved this one - cheese soup, rolls, and apple fritters - yes, please!!
3. Hideaway Five-Cheese Pizza!  Really, any cheese pizza works here, but this one is pretty great!
4. Don Pablos' Chips and Queso! ...I miss Don Pablos! :(
5. Johnnie's Cheeseburgers! 'Cause something about the grated cheese just makes it better.
6. Oliveto's Chicken Parmesan! Best chicken parm ever - I'm a fan!
7. Panera Four-Cheese Souffle! One of my favorite breakfasts.
8. Velveeta Shells n' Cheese! Classic comfort food - yummers.
9. Abuelo's Cheese Enchiladas w/Cheese Sauce! I like most any Mexican restaurant, but their enchiladas are my favorite.
10. Cheesecake Factory's Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake!  (Because every dessert should be at least 7 words long and include chocolate, peanut butter, whipped cream, and creamy cheesecake! lol)

Sonic Ched'r Bites and The Brook's mac n' cheese almost made the cut. lol  As I like to say, "Cheese makes everything better!"  (Aside from your heart health, perhaps.)

Other cheesy things that I love include Full House, Troop Beverly Hills, Vegas, basically every musical ever made, and all cheesy pop songs!  This video is full of songs that turn 20 this year (1997 hits) -- so crazy -- it makes me feel old, but I love them all!! =)

Hope you get to enjoy some cheesy goodness today, in whatever form you prefer!! ;-)

In other news, Happy Inauguration Friday... Praying for President Trump - for humility and wisdom in his leadership, and for God's blessings of peace and unity and healing across our nation!!

Thankful Thursday! (73) =)

It has returned! =) ...It's been quite a while (11-26-2015) since I've done an official Thankful Thursday post, but I want to get back into that again!!

Today, I am thankful for...

1. My "words to live by" for this year!

2. Babah and Grandad being involved in the lives of their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids! :)

3. Velveeta shells n' cheese! #yesplease

4. That the first training session with Sammers went really well!  She only has two classmates - Bella (a German Shepherd) and Cinnamon (a Lab mix). :) Sammich is the smallest dog there by far, but she holds her own, and I really liked Cammy, the trainer, so yay!

5. Our new Lifegroup study, Present Over Perfect.  I did the homework today, and it makes you dig deep and get real, and I like that!

6. Tiffany's friendship!! I'm impressed by her joy and reslience in the midst of pain, and she is a real friend that I can laugh, rant, pray, seek God, freak out, and/or cry with - whatever the situation calls for. lol

7. Today being President Obama's last full day in office!

That's all for today!  Yay, 5 o'clock!! lol

Birthday Tribute!

 Happy Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom!!  =)

The person I talk to every day, twice a day minimum (aside from my Mexico mission trip in high school where I couldn't call and felt crazy homesick).  The woman who fed me and brushed my teeth and fixed my hair and did my laundry, who read to me and helped me with homework and encouraged me when I was down and prayed with me when I was scared. The maker of chicken soup (aka "cracker soup") and PBJs and mac n' cheese and frosted brownies, etc. The cool mom who took us and our friends TP-ing at night, was good at thinking of fun activities, and hosted epic end-of-the-year parties for our classes! She was there for every big event from spelling bees to debate competitions to sporting events where I was just the team manager, and she never once made me feel like a burden or like my thoughts or stories were boring to her. The woman who has worked alongside me and Rach in so many creative projects, including scrapbooking, painting, making posters and banners, lightbox calligraphy, decorating lamps, building shelves, cutting the ribbon for Rach's wreaths, taking Parrish fam pics, etc. Even before Pinterest, she has always been great at decorating and choosing the finishing touches that have made every house we've lived in feel like home, including my current house where she's helped with every bit of the holiday decor. She loves Fox News and almost every sport, and shes's the only woman at the Super Bowl parties who has little interest in chit-chat, but wants to watch every second of the game! lol She is an awesome Mamaw to her grandkids, and her resilience and willingness to fight through pain and press for healing so that she can take care of others is inspiring to me... over the past few years, she has survived cancer; a terrible car wreck followed by a skin graft, staph infection, and multiple debridement surgeries; and more recently, back pain and major back surgery. In every rejection and difficult time I have faced, she has listened and been passionately on my side and reminded me who I am in Christ and built me back up when I felt broken, and ironically, she's the only person who has ever written me a "Tribute!" :)

So today's tribute is for my Mom, my biggest supporter and life-long friend that I love with all my heart!!  Happy Birthday - I hope it's been great, and hope the Cowboys and the Thunder pull off a win for you tonight! ;-)

Love you!  ~Lindsey Claire

Daily Grace

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
~Isaiah 43:1-3

When you pass through... not if, but when. 
And not when you imagine or fear or dread it, but when you actually go through something.

I know I've written about this before, but I was reminded of it last night, and it's such a comforting truth to me.  Beth Moore talks about God's grace being sufficient at all times for our present reality, the perfect amount of grace we need to face what is actually happening in our lives day by day, moment by moment.  When we let our imagination run wild and feel strong emotions of fear, worry, etc. about things that could happen in the future, God's grace is not on that. If the worst thing we can imagine becomes our reality, God will be right there with us in the midst of it, and that will strengthen us enough to make it bearable.

The challenge is to stay in the present and not let ourselves worry about a future we can't control, because God is here in the present, and He will be there by our side in the future as well.  The God who was and is and is to come. We will all face troubles and hard things, and when we do, God will be with us and protect us from being completely overwhelmed and engulfed by them. So don't be afraid if God has redeemed you; He knows your name, and you belong to Him. He cares about you, and He will stand by you and help you through the major events that would threaten to drown you. He knows your circumstances, and His grace will be sufficient for your needs on a daily basis, so don't let your mind wander into a future where He is not present yet... because He is here with you today, and He will be there with you tomorrow.

It's also encouraging that the verses say, "when you pass through," "when you pass through," "when you walk through." In other words, there will be light and hope and life again at the end of the darkest times, and this too shall pass!

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." ~Matthew 6:34

"Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." ~Lamentations 3:23

I hope that encourages you today!!  Happy 1-17-17! =)

Family Fun

A few shots from this weekend with the fam, which included Sunday lunch at Zios to celebrate Mom's birthday; playing Spades, Trash, Spoons, and Heads Up with Mom and T&C during J&K's nap time; and Nerf gun wars and roller skating at the Parrish house! :)

A few weekend Quotables, mostly by Jace Michael:

Mom:  "Hey, Jaceman, what did you learn at church today?"
Jace:  "Ohhh, Moses dropped his stick again. But then it turned into a snake!! Then when he picked it back up, it was a stick again!"  :)

Jace:  "You know what?"
Dad:  "You love me!?"
Jace:  "Umm, noooo, that isn't it!"

Me:  "Hey, do you know who Abraham was?"
Jace:  "Ummm... many sons!?"
Me:  "Exactly!" :)

I texted Rach a pic of my mac n' cheese dinner...
Rach:  "Awww, Christmas dinner!!" lol

Kyndal Faith:  "I wannawudder BBQ chip!" (I so love how she says "another" right now - so much cuteness!)

"MOM!! Where you at, fool!?"  ~Jaceman, randomly yelling that when Rach had stepped out of the room. lol

"Are you so proud of me for eating spaghetti!?" -Jace (over and over)

We played "Heads Up" with J&K, neither of whom can read yet, so we just made up age appropriate clues for them. Then every once in a while, they would try to give each other clues... here's how that went down:
Jace:  "Oh, I've got one!  What animaaaal... is a gorilla!??"
(All the adults laugh at this awesomesauce clue!)
Kyndal:  "Hmmmm..."
(Jace makes animal noises that I guess he thinks sound gorilla-like, while Kyndal bites her lip in deep thought...)
I whisper, "A gorilla!"
Kyndal Faith, triumphantly:  "Gorilla!"
Everyone clapping - "Yay!!!"

LOLOL they make me happy! =)

Photo Wednesday =)

I saw this and had to recreate this shot of Sammers from 3 years ago! (1-11-14 and 1-11-17)

Here's Michael and Baylee meeting Penny Moss after Lifegroup last night! =)

The swearing-in ceremony for Judge Hammers on Tuesday! That and the reception party made it a much better Tuesday than normal! :)

Waffles and breakfast casserole for "brinner" with Jenna and Tiffany Monday night (going through the Uninvited study with them and loving it!) =)

Facebook is full of random quizzes, and this was my result on what my job should be. Haha... I have said before that if there was a Baptist equivalent, I'd probably join! lol

A happier future prediction... lol

Friend pic at the going away party for Michael and Baylee Cakes. ;-)

A Wilson sandwich, as Michael put it! lol

A few more from that night... so excited for them as they leave to follow God's call as missionaries in Haiti!!

Happy Wednesday, gang!  Judge had an eye surgery, so I had today off... sleeping in + cookies and milk + reading Harry Potter whilst taking a bubble bath + Parenthood + a nice sunset walk in awesomesauce weather = a pretty perfect, rejuvenating day!! Crazy that the weather was so nice today and we have to worry about ice in a couple days.  #oklahoma  Anyway, hope you've had a lovely day as well.  Now I'm off to have dinner with Jenna! =)

Top 10 Tuesday - INFJ

For reasons that probably make no sense, I was really excited to learn that JK Rowling is a fellow INFJ! :)  Reading that made me want to look up other INFJs, and they all make sense to me and most of them lead pretty inspiring lives! The list did include two of the worst people in recent history, so that was a little disconcerting... From the Psychology Junkie website: "INFJ villains are usually motivated by some kind of twisted sense of social justice - they want to make the world a better place, they just do it in a really messed up way."  

I totally see that.  Anyway, here are a wide variety of people who share the INFJ personality...

1. Female Authors --- J.K. Rowling, Emily Dickinson
2. Male Authors --- Soren Kierkegaard, Leo Tolstoy
3. Humanitarians --- Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr.
4. Leaders --- Thomas Jefferson, Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana, Gandhi
5. The Dark Side --- Adolph Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, Loki (Thor and The Avengers) :(
6. Female Celebrities --- Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Nicole Kidman
7. Male Celebrities --- Steven Spielberg, Tom Selleck, Billy Crystal
8. Fictional Women --- Rose DeWitt Bukater (Titanic), Queen Elsa (Frozen), Jane Eyre
9. Fictional Men --- Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin (Harry Potter), Gandalf (Lord of the Rings), Charles Xavier (X-Men)
10. My Life --- Me and Jenna =)

See how we just fit right in. ;-)

INFJ Quotables:

If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.

Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike. 
~JK Rowling

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all.

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain. 
~Emily Dickinson

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.

The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
~Soren Kierkegaard

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.  
~Leo Tolstoy

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. 
~Mother Teresa

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  
~Martin Luther King, Jr.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep forever.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.  
~Thomas Jefferson

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. 
~Nelson Mandela

Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can... I don't go by the rule book;  I lead from the heart, not the head.

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.

Family is the most important thing in the world.  
~Princess Diana

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever. 
~Gandhi

Love is in the details.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

Nothing but the hand of God has made this possible for me... I know I've never been alone, and you haven't either. 
~Oprah Winfrey

Heaven knows there's so much more than what we see. So don't rain on my parade; life's too short to waste one day. I'm gonna risk it all - the freedom to fall - yes, it sure looks good to me! 
~Alicia Keys

I think it's important that we don't all have to hold our heads high all the time saying everything's fine. 
~Nicole Kidman

I don't dream at night - I dream all day. I dream for a living.  
~Steven Spielberg

It's not that conservatives don't care. We do. We just have different answers than liberals do. It's a difference of the mind, not of the heart. 
~Tom Selleck

All the while, I feel I'm standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming at the top of my lungs, and no one even looks up. 

To making it count!  
~Rose DeWitt Bukater, Titanic

Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free. Just stay away and you'll be safe from me.

Conceal, don't feel. Put on a show. Make one wrong move, and everyone will know.

It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small, and the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all... And one thought crystalizes like an icy blast: I'm never going back; the past is in the past. Let it go, let it go. And I'll rise like the break of dawn. Let it go, let it go. That perfect girl is gone!  
~Queen Elsa, Frozen

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. 
~Gandalf, Lord of the Rings

Just because someone stumbles and loses their path doesn't mean they can't be saved. 
~Charles Xavier, X-Men

Snow Day!!

Ironic after the way I ended my last post, but when I woke up this morning, I had a text from Judge that the courthouse was closed today!  YAY for SNOW!! lol  (LB and I were a bit baffled by them choosing to close, as that is super rare and today's snow is not that bad, but we will take it!!) #threedayweekend #nocomplaints

It was a PJs and hoodie kind of day over here. :)  I slept in a little, did a yoga DVD, facetimed with Mom, got some laundry done, watched a lot of Parenthood season 3, and after considering the lack of chocolate in the house, ventured out into the bitter cold to get a shake from Freddies. lol  I'm willing to take big risks for the sake of chocolate. ;-)

Anywho, without further ado, here are some epically cute Photo Friday pics of my niece and nephews... it was 50's day at Pre-K this week!!  I can barely handle the cuteness!

She's always precious, but especially when she feels cute! :)

What 3-year-old girl doesn't love a twirly skirt!? 

"You look so beautiful, sis!" ~Jace :)

And now one of J-Michael and his "girlfriend," Claire! :)

(I can create my own "gif" images now, so that's exciting! These don't all go together super well, but it's a good way to display multiple pictures a little quicker.)

The race is on!!! :)

This one of T-man and Jace makes me happy! :)

So does this of Carter helping Kyndal Faith. :)

Finally, a few from their snow day today...

Golf-cart sledding! :)

Two thumbs up! :) Kyndal's kinda over it. lol

I gotta say, a 3-day week to start off the year is pretty nice!  Happy Friday, gang!!