Thankful Thursday! (91)

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts, for as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." ~Colossians 3:15

Today, I'm thankful for:

1.  Getting to celebrate Tiffany's 30th birthday a couple weeks back... we watched 13 Going on 30, which reminded me and Laura of our limo ride to celebrate Kristin's 30th birthday ten years ago!! ❤

2.  My sister, Rach!  Also thankful for her reliable fashion advice and her willingness to loan me some cute clothes (including this leopard cardigan) for Vegas!

3.  These guys - two of my favorites!!

This pic = JEM taking a walk around the pond at the Farmhouse for old times' sake before they sell it. lolol  It made me laugh pretty hard when I realized that's where he was during part of Tate's party. =)

4.  Getting to see the kids play with this happy drone toy I got Jace... before it was carried away by the wind somewhere far out on the golf course!  RIP drone toy. You lived for a good 10 hours. lol

5.  This chocolate cake, for being freaking amazing and tasty! =)

6.  That I am finally, fiiiiiiinally approved for Otezla again!  ('Twas a 6-month-plus appeal process with the insurance company.)

7.  For the mini Miss K being excited to see me lately and asking to sit by me at lunch! ❤ Also for this cute hairstyle on her - I love it!

8.  Getting to start this Bible study tonight with women from Evergreen!  I'm guessing it'll be pretty great!

9.  That I'll be here tomorrow night (Paris Hotel... Vegas, Baby!) for a long weekend with fun friends!

10.  For the things God reveals to us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit! ❤ I love this verse!!

Happy Thursday, friends and fam!!  I'll see you again after my trip! ❤

Triston Michael =)

Today's "Tribute Tuesday" post goes to my oldest nephew, Triston! ❤

T-man, you are awesome because...

• You're a great big brother to Carter, Jace, Kyndal, Mason, and Bryson!
• You humor me and Mamaw and pose for tons of pictures without complaining! lol
• You're fun and funny, and you have a good and kind heart! =)
• You're really smart, and you have big dreams for your future!
• You know and remember ALL THE THINGS about every Apple product!
• You love making and editing videos on your GoPro, and I hope you keep practicing that!
• I'm counting on you to invent an app even better than Flipagram someday. lol
• You won't eat or drink after anyone, and that reminds me of someone I know. ;-)

• You like to learn, and you're good at reading and following the directions, as evidenced in the Easter pic with Rach above. lol
• You like to read, you process things through writing, and you enjoy having some time to yourself, and I totally get that.
• Out of Grandad, Babah, Mamaw, Bampa, Rachael, Carter, Jace, and Kyndal, you are the only one I can relate to as the oldest sibling... I understand the unique pressures and all the goods and bads that come along with that role!
• You are sensitive to the feelings of others, and you tend to put their needs above your own, which shows a lot of empathy and maturity.
• You're only 11, but you've been through some difficult things, and you have handled them as well as anyone could!
• You love Jesus, and I know He will guide you and guard your heart through every season as you grow up!!  (And I'll be here for you, too, along with the rest of the family.)

Thanks for being one of my favorite kids on earth!  I'm excited to see you grow up and become the honorable man God made you to be!! ❤

Super Bowl Sunday

Yesterday was Bill Lemieux's birthday, so they joined us for 30 Second Theology at LifeChurch then Ted's for lunch!  Always fun times chatting with them, and I love that they've invited me to come on their cruise even if Mom and Dad don't.  =)

We spent the afternoon cleaning and cooking and getting everything ready, then everyone came over around 4:45.  I'm so glad I decided to stay for the whole game because I had a blast chatting with these ladies.  (Side note:  People who limit themselves to friendships with people in their age range miss out on sooo much - my parents' friends and Ruth's group and the people I'm getting to know at Evergreen are all fantastic and add so much to my life - fun, peace, joy, perspective, wisdom, etc!)

Rick and Connie (in the jersey) got engaged recently -- he proposed to her at the Top of the World restaurant in Vegas (where Bill and Jill had their reception), so that's pretty awesome!  So there was lots of talk about their wedding plans (they actually may get married at Mom and Dad's house... with Jill as the photographer and me calligraphying the addresses for the invitations - get excited!).  That led to talking about the fun memories at Bill and Jill's wedding... and Mom and Dad's wreck afterward.  We got out old scrapbooks and pulled up Facebook albums to show Connie some of the pictures.  It was nice getting to know Connie a bit better, and fun times chatting with Debbie Wallace about a possible girls trip to NYC sometime soon!

This is the 30th year of the Fantasy Football league - the winner hosts the Super Bowl party, so obviously Dad won this year.  Rick has placed second so many times that they named the second place trophy after him. lol

So during halftime, whilst Adam Levine was slowly removing his jacket, shirt, and tanktop (oooh, I need Blake to mock him for that on The Voice! lol)... we paused the TV for a bit for the trophy presentation.  Dad presented Rick with his second place trophy (pictured above), then Rick presented this year's trophy to Dad (pictured below). =)  Rick got choked up for a minute talking about how he wouldn't still be here without these guys and their solid friendships, and I know he meant that, and I totally understand that sentiment, and the whole moment just meant a lot!

Then the mood lightened as Dad gave a little speech (with a couple funny stories thrown in by Bill L and Bill W), and they gave Rick this gift to mark the 30th year (written by Dad and collaged by me using Photomix). =)

I'm thankful for these guys and their families and all the fun memories with them, adding last night's party to that list! ❤

Some awesome pics from this party-filled weekend:

Rach did an awesome job decorating everyone's cups with fun catchphrases,

and Mom did an awesome job on the food - sooo much great food! =)

So here's a second video just for that:

Okay, I'm done now.  Happy Monday!

Birthday Buddies!

Fighting the clock to get this posted by midnight.  LOTS more pictures to share, and probably a slideshow or something coming soon! =)

Here's the happy collage I made to go on the cake at Jace's 7th birthday - all his birthdays through the years! ❤

I was super happy about finding this personalized book on Amazon (forgot the Wilsons also use my account, so Chet had already seen it). lolol

 A really cute and fun 1st birthday party this afternoon for Baby Tate!! =)

This is most definitely one of my favorite pictures from today. lol

I drove from the Farmhouse to the Blazers Ice Rink for Jace's 7th birthday party tonight!!

#perfectnumber

It was fun times with the fam and his little friends!

*Random Fun Fact: On this day 10 years ago (2009), I was hanging out with Rach and Chettles at my Super Bowl party!!  Today... I got to celebrate both their firstborn sons' birthdays, then help Mom bake stuff for their Super Bowl party tomorrow! lol ❤

❤

February Photo Challenge!!

Huzzah, my favorite month has arrived! ❤
I did this blog challenge in February 2011 and decided to try it again now,
condensing them all into one post! =)

Day 1~ A picture of yourself with ten facts about you.

Mirror pics tend to be my favs. And I tried to keep the "facts" short and simple.

Day 2~ A picture of you and the friend you have been the closest with the longest.

(...Chet Lee, not Santa. lol)
Super thankful for this friendship!

Day 3~ A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

New Girl is definitely among the favorites, but there are so many to choose from!

Day 4~ A picture of your night.

You know, just working out with my trainer. lol

Day 5~ A picture of your favorite memory.

The entire day of my 33rd birthday! (Recap HERE)

Day 6~ A picture of a person you would love to trade places with for a day.

(My Grandma Doris) She could come see all her kids and their families,
and I could go see Jesus and heaven for a day! ❤

Day 7~ A picture of your most treasured item.

There's really not one single specific item, but handwritten stuff 
from my parents feels more irreplaceable than anything else.

Day 8~ A picture that makes you laugh.

The "Chubby Hacker" costume Jace is loving lately! lol

Day 9~ A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

My wonderful Mom! ❤

Day 10~ A picture of something you hate.

This represents 3 things: I hate feeling outcast.
I hate the thought of any child being without a loving family.
I hate the thought of anyone who's suffering feeling unseen and unsupported!

Day 11~ A picture of something you love.

Bellagio fountains in Vegas + rainbow representing God's promised protection!

Day 12~ A picture of your favorite band or artist.

I also love Queen and Coldplay, but OneRepublic still holds the top spot.

Day 13~ A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

(Painting of Jesus.)

Day 14~ A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Complete a full marathon, just to prove to myself that I can do hard things, one step at a time!!

Day 15~ A picture of someone who inspires you.

Brillllliant author + resilient and generous human being!

Day 16~ A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Evergreen Baptist Church and the friendly people I've met there!

Day 17~ A picture and a letter.

(On the 17th...) Happy 35th Birthday, Lindsey-Pins!! The best is yet to come! ❤
Hope it's a good day and an awesomesauce year ahead! =)

Day 18~ A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Not exactly an insecurity, but going back and forth rather than
making confident, firm decisions is such a struggle for me!

Day 19~ A picture of somewhere you would love to travel.

An Alaska cruise (a possibility for next year).

Day 20~ A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Feels like searching for a needle in a very muddy haystack.
(But the result is really up to God, so I'm staying open to new possibilities).

Day 21~ A picture of your favorite book.

This is the current favorite - the audiobook version read by Jim Dale!
*The odd books (1, 3, 5, and 7) are all my favs, but the whole series is fantastic!!

Day 22~ A picture of something you wish you could change.

That was the first thing that came to my mind. lol 
(And with the love of Christ, I can and I will!)

Day 23~ A picture of your day.

Scoping, proofing, daydreaming, blogging, watching my digital frame. lol

Day 24~ A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Being an aunt to the niece and nephews! ❤

Day 25~ A picture of yourself and a family member.

Christmas Eve 2018 - love this pic of Mom's side of the fam!

Day 26~ A picture of something you're afraid of.

Missing out on something I was supposed to do
but didn't understand or wasn't decisive enough to fight for.

Day 27~ A picture of someone you miss.

...It was short-lived at best and may have only existed in my head,
but I miss the *perceived* support, love, and connection here.

Day 28~ A picture that can always make you smile.

What a little preshface with her drink still in her mouth
and her big eyes thinkin' she might be in trouble. lol
I love it, and I love her! ❤

Okay, that was fun. =)  Happy Friday, friends, and Happy February!! ❤

Hope it's a wonderful month ahead for you!