My Crazy Birthday Weekend Part 1

The older I get the less excited I get about my birthday. I guess that is the one thing women really have in common! It's not so much that I dread getting older- it's just that things always seem to go differently than planned.

This year was a great birthday though! I was able to spend part of my birthday in St Louis with some great ladies listening to Beth Moore. It was awesome. We had been planning the trip for weeks. We headed up to St Louis on Friday morning and ate lunch on 'The Hill'. The Hill is a older part of the City of St Louis, that you've probably driven by and never even noticed. It's on both sides of I-44 about 5 miles from the Arch. The Hill has hundreds of classic Italian restaurants. And I'm not talking about Olive Garden... which I LOVE. In the four years of living in STL, I've only eaten there twice, but was dying to go and try so more places.

There were two parts of this trip that I was most looking forward to. Hearing Beth Moore speak and seeing my best friend Carrie. I hadn't seen Carrie since the day we moved. I needed Carrie time. As much as we talk on the phone, it just isn't the same. It was pretty awesome how it worked out, because Carrie wasn't even supposed to come on the trip. A good friend of ours was supposed to, but had to back out at the last minute- so I called Carried and she was able to go.

Anyway, we met Carrie on the Hill, ate yummy food at Favazza's, and then headed to our hotel downtown. We intrusted Gar- Gar Binks ( Garmin) to get us there in one piece. He took us a little out of the way and put us about 20 minutes behind, but he got us there safely. We arrived at the hotel and parked on the top of the parking garage. When we walked into the lobby it was packed with women. We finally got checked in and headed up to our room on the 14 floor.

This is part of the group outside Favazza's

Robin, my Aunt Beth, me, my mom, and Cathey

The hotel was really nice. We settled in for a few minutes and then headed back down to the car. We wanted to get to Chafietz Arena early since seats are first come first served. It was an eventful drive to SLU's campus. I was driving, and should have known the exact way to get there, but took us on a slight detour. We ended up a couple of miles away, but after I was able to stop and get my bearings, we were good to go! We arrived safely at Chafietz and started waiting in the crazy heat. But it paid off! We got seats on the floor three rows from the stage. The coolest part about our seats- we were three rows behind where Beth Moore stood during worship. I was distracted in the beginning... I mean how many ladies have been able to stand behind Beth Moore and watch her worship the Almighty God? It was amazing.

Worship was led by Travis Cottrell and his amazing team. There is just something about singing songs of praise with a few thousand other women... and being led by a man that is truly after God's own heart.

We dismissed late Friday night, headed back to the hotel and had some Birthday cookie cake and kettle corn that Carrie had brought. We had a mini birthday party and time of fellowship in our room, and went to bed since it was going to be an early morning. Saturday (my birthday) we headed back to Chafietz, and shockingly got the same seats! We were once again blessed by Beth Moore. We cut out about ten minutes early, since we were really needing to eat some lunch and get back on the road to Ozark. We stopped and ate lunch in Fenton, and headed back home. It was a great getaway and just the beginning of the weekend for me!

Beth's Birthday

I've mentioned my Aunt Beth in my blog before. If I was a super techy person I could link where I talked about her here, but I'm not- so I didn't link it!
Anyway...
My aunt Beth was turning the big 4-0 this year so my uncle decided to throw here a birthday bash at a local park in Nixa. It was going to be great! A ton of their church friends would be there, Gordon's parents and sister where there, and of course my mom, dad, and my family. My cousin Bryand and his wife Sharon even planned their family vacation to come up to Branson on the same weekend. All together I think there were about 50 people there to celebrate Beth, eat wonderful food and have a great time of fellowship. It was a great way to blend two special parts of their lives together- their family meeting some of their church family. It was a blast.

Everyone met at the park around 5 and we started with dinner. Gordon got some great BBQ and everyone else brought the sides, buns, and dessert. It was a feast for the ages. I wish my camera wouldn't have died so I could show you how much food there was. It was amazing! After dinner most of the adults sat around and chatted while the kids played games and the younger kids played on the slides and park toys. Later in the night the men and older boys decided to start a game of softball. They didn't have enough players to play a full game; but still had fun and everyone got to hit the ball. Brandon ended up being the pitcher for the evening. Even my little boys got to go out and play. They were in heaven.
As the night came to an end, most of the church friends were going to head to a local ice cream shop where they where having a motorcycle and hot rod "show". Everyone had their bikes and cars parked in the lot and you could go around and look at them if you wanted. (Beth and Gordon's church has just started a motorcycle ministry- that is taking off and Gordon is apart of it.)
Now Beth, is not one to really walk on the wild side. She is a mother of three boys- that is wild enough for her! But she decided to take a chance, live on the crazy side and ride the 2 miles from the park to the ice cream place on the back of a motorcycle! Not just any motorcycle- she was riding on a crotch rocket.
As the driver pulled up she was a little nervous to get on, but we all cheered her on! I was in shock! Tommy drove her around the park and up and down a couple of streets just for fun before heading to the ice cream shop. Everything was going good until they started to turn into the parking lot. Somehow they lost their balance and turned over the bike while still in motion.
We didn't know this had happened, as we were still at the park finishing cleaning up while her boys, my boys, and my younger cousin played. Gordon recieved a phone call, and all we heard was, '' is she okay?" Then Gordon jumped into his car and pulled out of the one way parking lot going the wrong way. We (the adults kinda panicked) sent my mom and dad to follow, while Brandon, Bryan, Sharon and myself got the boys loaded up into our cars and headed back to our house. We heard sirens going off, but just told the boys as few details as possible. We didn't have a clue what was going on.
A couple of hours after getting back to the house we finally found out all of the details. Beth and Tommy were okay. We let the boys know that they were okay, and let them talk to Beth. Just could just see the relief come over them as she talked to them. They had some severe road rash on their arms and legs, but no broken bones or other major injuries. Praise the Lord. They had both gone ahead and went to the hosptial to a have a complete check out. They were later discharged and sent home around 3 in the morning.
It was a scary night- but thank God it was only road rash. Talking to Beth about it later was scarier than having the night happen in real life. To hear her thoughts and details from her prespective were life changing. I always thought that I wanted to ride a bike too. A Harley- not a speed bike. Gordon had even wanted to buy a bike to ride for fun. But after that night- NO WAY!! Atleast we can look back and have a couple of laughs about it!

MiMi's Birthday and Memorial Day

Today is another special day in our family. Today is my mom's birthday! This year we went over to Beth and Gordon's house- so the kiddos could play and mom wouldn't be stuck in the kitchen the whole time. Beth and Gordon were such great hosts. Ot was great, we just wish my sister in law, Sarah, could have been there. She had to work =( We had burgers, sausages, chips, beans, and desserts. After lunch, we headed outside to let the boys play, and do the slip and slide... they had a blast!

I didn't think to bring the boys trunks over- so we just let them play in their underwear. Thank goodness for being potty trained! They didn't really get how to go down the slide, so the bigger boys would push or pull them, but they didn't care;

Greyson is a watcher... this is how he spent most of the afternoon, until he learned that the water wouldn't hurt him! Then I couldn't get him in it quick enough.

Noah took time to show Grey how to use the teeter totter. He LOVED it.

( I know that for my dad's birthday I wrote something special at the bottom, don't worry I am going to do the same for my mom, just in a different post!)

Pappaw turns 60

Today is a very special day in our family.... my dad turns 60!!! Since my dad owns his own business and construction is always the busiest in the spring and summer time- my dad didn't even take off for his birthday. Knowing that he is such a dedicated worker the boys and I took him a "birthday cookie cake". My dad has a silly side to him so the boys and I went to Tar.get before visiting my dad on the job site, and purchased sixty candles.
My dad is at the framing stage of building two houses. His framer and team have been working with my dad for as long as I can remember. He about fell off the house laughing so hard! He recommended that we not light the candles- so we don't burn down the subdivision! I attempted to light some of them, but after burning my hand several times and having the wind blow them out for me- I said forget it! After messing with the cake for a little while, we treated him to lunch at Qdoba. He wasn't even going to eat- until the boys made him!

My dad faking it on blowing out the candles! The boys were so excited and he was being a good sport.

Can you tell Daniel LOVES his pappaw?!

My dad is a very special man in my life and in my kids and Brandon's life. I am a daddy's girl through and through. I talk to my dad almost daily- if for nothing more than to say hi. I always know that my dad is there for me, whether he supports my decision or not. I don't know how many times my dad has held me and comforted me when he was hurting just as bad inside. I am 25 years old and still go on dates with him and still call my dad- daddy. I always will. My dad is a God fearing, humble, hard working, talented, silly, loving, patient, honest man.

I love you daddy and hope you have a great day! You deserve it!

Noah Graduates Kindergarten

Since we lived in St Louis for 3.5 years, I wasn't always able to make it to all my family activities. Either the timing didn't work out or I just had horribly fussy kids. I was so excited that the boys and I were able to attend my little cousin Noah's graduation from Kindergarten. He is such a big kid! Brandon worked a little late that night, and I told him it was okay to skip out and go to a relaxing movie and have a little down time instead!

Noah and his two older brother all attend a private christian school in Springfield. It is awesome. Brandon and I have debated many times about sending the kids there when they get older.

Here are some pictures from that night:

Lincoln and Daniel turn 3

I can't believe my little baby's turned 3! They are turning into such big boys. They have completely mastered potty training and are slowly getting better and better with their speech and getting past Twin Speak. And will hopefully be getting into preschool this fall.

For the first two birthday's Brandon and I have just picked out something that we thought they would like for a theme. This year when I asked what they wanted on their cake they responded with Spiderman on a Woo Truck (Firetruck). At first I thought they were crazy, but after talking to the cake lady, she was so excited to do it!

Isn't it awesome?!

They were so excited to see the cake!Greyson even got in on opening presents

We don't do huge celebrations for birthdays. We just keep it at family memebers for now. We figure the day to invite double the amount of friends will be here soon enough, so why not enjoying this stage for now?! Brandon's parents Jeff and Carol came down from St Louis and got the boys Robot bedding for their big boy room. At first I don't think Jeff and Carol thought they would like it, but they were so excited! They had to sleep with it on their beds last night. Beth and Gordon and the boys came over too and got them a Batman Airplane that shoots out coin things and a Batman helicopter. They had to sleep with those in their beds last night too. Mimi and Pappaw got Lincoln and Daniel Big Wheel Tricycles. They can't wait to get outside and ride them. Aunt Heather and Uncle Nate even sent them presents from Alaska. They got them the cutest preschool backpack from Pottery Barn Kids. The boys wouldn't take them off for the rest of the day. Brandon and I got them a Imaginex Castle and a couple of dragons.

For dinner we did the traditional dinner at Nakato's, which was yummy! When we got home we gave the boys a bath and put them down a little early since they skipped naps from all the exitement. So the adults sat around and played some Mexican Train Domino's. I think Jeff and Carol left around 11 to head back to the hotel.

Did I mention that this was the first time that we have ever been able to host a birthday party at our own house! We were so excited! And the twins birthday always falls around Mother's Day. It was pretty cool getting to deliver them just a few days before mother's day, and getting to celebrate my first Mother's day in the hospital. But now with birthday celebrations, it can kinda get over looked. But Brandon made sure that Sunday afternoon, I got to do things that I enjoyed. After church he put the boys down, and let me take a all afternoon nap! And then went to Springfield to pick up our favorite Chinese for take out! Later that evening the boys got to call their great grandma which they share a birthday with and sing Happy Birthday. She was elated!

All in all it was a great weekend

Women of Joy

Ever since I got married, my mom and I have loved to go to Christian Women's confrences together. We get a group of women and usually go to a Beth Moore confrence; we have a blast, learn a lot, and come home changed. The last time we were able to do this was when I was pregnant with the twins..needless to say things have been a little crazy since having 3 children! Last year as a suprise to my mom, my dad and I booked a ticket for the two of us to attend a local Women of Joy confrence down in Branson. We had never been to one before- but were really looking forward to it. It was going to be a 3 day getaway! We left Friday afternoon picked up Pam, and headed to the hotel. Friday night we were able to hear Candace Cameron Bure (aka DJ Tanner from Full House) give her testimony. I don't think there was a dry eye in the whole place. We were led in worship by Big Daddy Weave- which was amazing! Candace spoke about her time on Full House, her family life growing up, her brother Kirk Cameron, and the influence that God has had on her marriage.
On Saturday morning we woke up early to hear Kay Arthur speak. And she didn't hold back. Kay had one question for us... Are we ready to meet our God? It was powerful. The truth is, God is coming back soon, and what are we doing to tell others about-plus to prepare ourselves?
We had a nice break in the afternoon to eat some lunch and do some shopping at Tanger. Since the economy is down- the outlet malls have even better deals than normal, so Pam got a whole new wardrobe! We headed back around dinner time to hear a concert by Michael W Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman. Not to long ago one of SCC's daughter's was killed in a accident, and you could tell he is still in the mourning process. It was a very heart breaking time, but also a time of celebration to be able to celebrate his little girl being in heaven. Michael W Smith did a great job too.
Sunday morning we woke up, packed up and headed into the last session. Donna Gaines was the guest speaker. Her husband is the pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church outside of Memphis. She was great! They say she is going to be the next Beth Moore.
We left the confrence refeshed and renewed. We roomed with two of my mom's dear friends Cathey and Pam, and they were such a blessing. We stayed up late laughing and making great memories. We've already booked our spots for next year!