More surprises and January fun

Saw this awesome idea on Pinterest.  Draw on a ceramic plate with a sharpie, bake it for 350 for a half hour and SHAZAM you have a beautiful plate.  We were so excited with these masterpieces, until it WASHED OFF!  Sharpie never comes off when you want it to, why would it come of when we wanted to preserve the fruits of my budding artists?!?  Drat!

We are big fans of cheap entertainment. 

 The kids yearly ornaments.  These are treasures.  They are so proud of them.  I love the memories they represent.

 The kids love dismantling the candy off our Masonite gingerbread house.  Next time I need to remember to wear safety goggles, you don't want royal icing shrapnel in your eye!

 Mustache memories

 Coop's 8 pack

 Rainbow Loom MANIA at our house!

 The Rich Family in mini-figures.

 This is me pretending that we were in Utah with the Peterson family to celebrate Michael and Lauren's wedding!  Yippee another Peterson!  Boo to missing it.

 Pretty chilly in these parts.

 Cooper sometimes thinks "in the box"

 Matt asked if we could do my family birthday celebration on Sunday, he said he was worried he would have to work late.  Ruby helped me make my favorite mint chocolate cake. 

 I opened all of my beautiful Fiestaware.  I am slightly obsessed with it.

 Rocky made me a birthday crown.

 He also decorated the cake.  I really turned 04 you know.  We had a great night.  I felt super loved.

 On my actual birthday, it started off with a delightful breakfast with my dear friend Gail.  I was blessed to receive an outpouring of Facebook messages, calls, packages and texts from cherished family and friends.  When my kids came home they wanted to quickly get their homework done and cleaned up their stuff without asking.  That was a great gift in and of itself.  Everyone was acting strange but I knew better than to ask questions.  I asked if they needed me to leave for a bit.  When I returned, my street was lined with cars.  I walked into a house packed with friends.  Even though I knew something was up, I was overwhelmed with LOVE!  I was so touched that this many people would celebrate with me.  I felt "encircled by the arms of His love". 

My family rocks.  Planning a party is the last thing Matt would choose to do.  He, my kids, and that awesome Amy Higgins I have told you about, put this together.  Matt even put together a survey for people to fill out.  He publicly shared his feelings with all these people. This meant so much to me.

 I noticed that my favorite paper was missing.  Ruby had used it to hand write  the invitations that my family hand delivered.  To say that I felt loved is a gross understatement. 

Suprise and THANK YOU!!

Matt and the kids have been really rubbing in the fact that I will soon be 40.  In fact the phrase "threshold of death" has been the theme for the last few weeks.  We have discussed hearses, Depends, and all the other crazy things that go with being "over the hill".  Matt told me he was taking me on a lunch date to the famous Red Lion Inn to start the birthday weekend off with a bang.  The inn was darling.  The best part was the 2 hour drive.  I forget how nice it is to get my husband all to myself!  I lucked out in the husband department.

After the date I told Matt I had to get some groceries, he said he needed some as well, I told him I would get them, he said we would all go, I decided ok... whatever.  As he took a very strange route to the store I realized something was up.  My family has been a little strange and sneaky but I knew better than to ask questions .  They told me we needed to get out of the car.  I opened the door to this dreamy spa and was greeted by 12 of my girlfriends!  Total shock!  I got teary as I put the pieces together.

I have always told Matt I wanted a surprise party at some point in my life, but I never really expected it would happen.  Months ago my friend Beth and I were on the treadmill talking about how we both had January birthdays and that I was turning 40.  We talked about surprise parties and how I couldn't imagine Matt ever doing one.  That was all it took to set her in action.  Unfortunately I can't remember who all did what, but Suzy and Alison got in on it a planned a Spa Surprise party!  These are all women I see all the time at the gym, running or at school.  I am so impressed no one spoiled the secret.

They treated me to a spa pedicure and manicure.  I felt like an absolute princess with all the pampering I received.  This was my 3rd pedicure and 1st manicure.  It was absolute heaven.  I felt like a candy cane with all the minty, tingly stuff that was massaged all over my tired limbs (that's a good thing).  My poor feet have seen better days, I have put them through a lot this year.  I am sure we shocked the sweet employees with our nasty feet as most of us are runners.  The chair was heavenly, it took care of my sore shoulders and glutes.  As all this was going on I was sitting there being served sparkling juices and hanging with some of my favorite people ever.  Words do not express how amazing it was.

Happy second 20th Birthday!

 As if that wasn't enough then they took me to Spoleto's for a delightful pizza dinner.  We had our own private room.  There was a tower of gifts I was instructed to open. Let me back up.  A few weeks back I told my friend Suzy I had always wanted Fiestaware and that each holiday I was going to start collecting a piece here and there.  For Christmas I started my collection.  Holy smokes, Suzy had listened to every detail.  All the ladies pitched in and bought me an amazing collection of dishes.  Once again totally shocked.

 Then the cake came out.  I thought the 1945 was a joke about the year I was born.  Nope, it was my marathon number.  Amy had gone through photos just to get my number!  That's not all, the orange frosting was representative of the Hartford Marathon orange!  It was also from my favorite bakery Cerato's

CAAA!!

All aspects of the party were amazing.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  So grateful for the surprise, the spa treatment, the food, the Fiestaware (I am in love with it, we used it tonight!), the thoughtful cake, and the company.  Even more so, I am so thankful for the incredible friends that I have.  Friends that really listen and pay attention to the details of my life.  Friends that laugh with me, cry with me, encourage me, and help me to become a better me.  Friends that help me with my children and bring joy to my journey.  Thank you from the bottom of my rear, I would have said heart but my rear is bigger.  God has blessed me with an amazing group of girlfriends wherever I have lived.  I am thankful for each and every one of them!

My Gaurdian Angel Momma

Big lump in my throat today.  15 years ago one of my very best friends died.  It is hard to fathom that I haven't hugged my mom for that long. We haven't sat down and had a heart to heart, or gone to lunch, or shared a cinnamon roll, or laughed until we cried in a long time.  My mom was amazing.  She had more than her share of trials.  She knew that God loved her and had a plan for her.  Her faithful example taught me that no matter what happened in life all you had to do is follow Jesus and everything would work out.  I remember several times going into her room and seeing her on her knees in prayer.  She didn't have to tell me what to do, she lived her life in a way that I knew what to do.  I don't remember her gossiping or judging others.  She just wanted to do the right thing.  She always put motherhood first.  I knew she loved her job.  All 5 of us knew we were her favorite.  She took us all on dates.  I loved going to the ZCMI center on the UTA bus, going to the Tiffen Room and ordering a grilled cheese sandwich and fries.  I could ask her ANY question.  She did a great job telling and showing me she loved me, believed in me and was proud of me.  If I can be half the mom she was I will feel pretty dang good about life.  I am so thankful to know that families are forever!  Love you mom! 

Here's more about my mom.

Bouncing off the walls

Launch in Hartford Connecticut was epic.  We had a delightful time.  Only one bloody lip and several trips to the bathroom for the almost 40 year old who has birthed 3 children.