happy birthday, Thumpy

During the month of April in 2004 (if our memory serves us well), our sweet puppy dog was born.

We picked her up Memorial Day weekend, so we are sure she was born in April sometime.  

Tuesday night, we celebrated the sweet birthday girl 

with birthday hats, cupcakes, a candle, and special treats.

She did enjoy licking the icing and finally Chris helped her get to the cake part.

We did not let her eat the entire cupcake ... she shared with J.D. as well.

 We can't believe she's 9 years old now.

She is one of the best, no doubt.

We love her to pieces.

She's always excited to see us.

And she senses when we need some loving too.

She's our sweet Thumpy-girl!

a little birthday love

Although, my brother probably doesn't read here. 

It's January 2nd - his day!

And isn't he so good-looking??  :) 
 

On this day, 29 years ago, I received the best gift of 1984 ... a little baby brother! 

He is the best and I love him so! ♥

 

Happy Birthday, Kevin - enjoy the last year of your 20's. 

(And take it from your big sister ... 30's are not so bad) :) 

LOVE YOU!!!

happy birthday, love

You make me laugh.

Your hugs are the best.

And you care about me. 

 

I'm so blessed that when we were just teenagers, well, older teenagers --- you knew first, then my Daddy knew, and I finally figured it out - we were meant to be! 

 

15 years later, the best part of every day is sharing it with YOU! 

There's no one else I'd rather do this life with than you.

 

Happy Birthday to the most special person in my world.
I love you, MORE!



special birthday

I failed to post on "the" day, because I wasn't back in the regular habit of blogging (and I will be back-dating to keep in order)

 

Of course, I didn't fail to personally wish the most special lady a "Happy Birthday."  My mom's birthday was October 27th.  We didn't get to do any celebrating, because she was sick all weekend with a yucky virus.  BUT ... because of Hurricane Sandy and NYC still in recovery mode, my brother is catching a deal-of-a-flight home tomorrow and I'm sure we will be celebrating, celebrating!  :)

 

(thanks, Randa, for the picture)

 

My mom is such a strong, courageous, hard-working, amazing lady!
(and I know she will be a super-duper grandma) 

I admire her for so many reasons!

And I love her a whole bunch!

November 2011

**Although, I wasn't blogging this month, I do want to include pictures from this month just for memory's sake.  Here are pictures and a few thoughts from that month.

 

Taking a nap with my two. 

I took the picture (pretending to be asleep)

 L with Ava at mom's one Sunday at lunch.

 This silly little girl can make me smile anytime. 

She used this "scary face" to scare her doctor upon entering the exam room.  :)

 New t-shirt - I love the looks and comments that I get from others when I wear this!

 We took advantage of the vacation days at Thanksgiving and retreated to the mountains for a few days of much needed rest and relaxation.

Me with my sweetie at one of the mountain overlooks.

 Celebrating Chris' 30th birthday at Los Amigos - complete with sombrero, fried ice cream, and whip cream on the nose.

 Chris' birthday card from Thumpy - pawprint signature and all

   This was a quote that I repeated often and clung too during the rough days.

 



birthday wishes

Here's to a sweet birthday to the sassiest, smartest, special "sister!"

Ashley, I hope for an awesome day filled with wonderful surprises. May #29 be your best year yet ... I pray great things happen for you. Just think, next year, we'll all be in our 30's. Yikes! Time is flying.

I can't wait to celebrate your birthday. I love you and I'm thankful for such a friend like you.

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30th birthday party

Let the pictures do the talking.

 

It was a wonderful evening with some of my greatest friends.

(a few were missing)

I was so happy to have my brother in from NYC for the party.  

And Kenley attend her first birthday party at just a few days old.

Teresa and Rich left before the picture taking.

Thanks to Miranda for capturing the memories.

a birthday surprise

 On Friday, July 15th at 4:34 PM, 

I received a text message from my cousin, Leigh, that read:

"Just letting you know Ash & I will be there at 5.  You have til then to get an over nite bag packed.  just luv b-day surprises."

I was so shocked that I didn't know what to pack.

Although, Chris was "in on the deal" 
and helped to have me home without plans,

he had no idea what these two had planned.

So Ash and Leigh arrived, I threw in my bags, and we took off.  

It wasn't too long (maybe 45 minutes) until I realized we were headed for dinner at one of my favorite places.

After dinner, Leigh announced that we were headed to downtown Greenville.

After twists and turns, and the GPS not being up-to-speed with Ash's driving,

we finally found our hotel.

   

We checked in - laughing all the while, 
freshened up and headed to the streets.

Next, we walked downtown to a beautiful park area.

We strolled and laughed. 

Leigh "glowed" in our picture.  :)

Then we headed to the downtown streets, had some interesting encounters, 

listened to the music, took in all the sights and sounds,

talked and laughed some more, and enjoyed the summer night.

We were asked not once, but TWICE, if we were from a local college

which sure made this just-turned-30-year old feel wonderful.  :)

After walking around, we headed back to our room.

Relaxed and laughed some more.

Ash said the reservation allowed her to request certain type pillows,

but since she didn't know what we preferred, she just chose 'variety.'

So I had to try out these 'variety' pillows.

At midnight, we decided on trip to Krispy Kreme.

This was definitely the highlight of the night.

We laughed so hard re-capping the previous events of the night.

I got so tickled that I nearly spewed 'whole' milk right there in Krispy Kreme.

We then returned to our room, stayed up past 3 AM chatting the night away.

At one point, our neighbors got sort of rowdy.

So Leigh tried to hear what all the hype was about. :)

The next morning, we slept in, ate leftover doughnuts for breakfast,

took another walk in the park, 

and had Steak 'n' Shake for lunch before heading home.

This was an awesome birthday gift.

Just some sweet, fun girl time!

I needed the break from life.

I needed the laughs - especially the silly ones about nothing really.

 I needed the chats.

It was GREAT!

My 30th birthday was unforgettable.

Thanks "sisters!"

thirty

 July 14, 1981 .... July 14, 2011+

Thirty years of life lived thus far.

I have been blessed.

And my 30th birthday was no exception from blessings.
I received many phone calls, cards, text messages, and Facebook notes.

 Several ladies of the church were I work surprised me
with lunch (from Mexican restaurant), flowers, a chocolate-chocolate cake,

a sweet card signed by many of the church, and 100 one-dollar bills.

Also, I had a surprise visit from 3 of my favorite young people.  They brought me more flowers, an awesome balloon, Willow Tree figurine for my desk, a precious card, and a mini-birthday cake.


After work, Chris and I went to dinner at Chili's and then we went on a mini-shopping spree.  :)  (Thanks, babe!)  Chris also gave me a sweet Willow Tree figurine.  (more on that later)  Sorry I didn't take any pictures - guess we were too busy making the most of it; eating and shopping!

Also, a BIG thanks to my cousin, Deanna, for the blog makeover.  I love the new look.  I shared a few of my ideas and she went with it.  She's amazing and so smart! 


Birthdays are not so bad when you feel loved. =)
Here's to 30 more!

who me? 30?

No way!
I'm just 29 .... plus one. ;-)


I've been blessed today more than I imagined. I truly appreciate the wonderful gift of precious friends in my life. The many, many thoughtful gifts, text messages, blog posts, phone calls, cards, and Facebook messages overwhelmed me beyond words. These kind acts overshadowed the dread I had for this day. Maybe 30 isn't so bad. After all, it's only a number. And as someone reminded me today ... "I'll be young forever - - You're as old as you act!" ((But then my mom says "Act your age.")) Oh, well, I'm gonna do my best to stay young.

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hacked

she's been hacked... :)

Happy Birthday

to one of the

sweetest,

most thoughtful,

fabulous,

one-of-a-kind

girls ever.

Sidenote:

Please excuse all the blogging adjustments.

It is in construction phase.

a birthday

Happy birthday cousin, L.
I hope your day is lovely.

You are like a sister to me. The sister I do not have.
Of course, that would make those precious girls my 'nieces.' :)
I love you and your family - bunches! (even B)You're my best friend.
You're my mafia friend.
You're my bronco-driving friend!
Thanks for all you do for me.

(and yes, I so stole your picture)

dinner w/ friends

Thursday night, Chris and I met friends for dinner.

Since "C's" birthday was Wednesday,
she choose the restaurant.
Chris was thrilled! -- she chose Los Amigos.The outdoor patio was empty when we arrived.
So, we enjoyed this perfect weather - it was awesome!
We talked and talked and then talked some more.
Fun conversations about getting older, our jobs,
funny jokes, dieting, music (David Phelps and Jason Crabb),
old people stories, eye doctors, and such.
Before we knew we'd been there nearly 2 hours.
And we kept right on talking in the parking lot.Great times!!
Hope you had a happy birthday, C!
You're an amazing friend - thanks for being there for me.
PS -- I'm elated that you're becoming a Phelps Phan!