"Back In Time" - Pitbull

So I know we all wish the weekends would be a little a lot longer 99.9% of the time . . .

.....last weekend was no exception.

It was a blast.

Peanut's big 12th birthday celebration . . . .

Started at 3pm Friday.

Ended 9:30pm Saturday.

So. Much. Fun.  seriously.

The "pre" work . . .

miles, cakes, dog bath

The party "favors"

Each girl received a towel with her name on it & a pair of shoes to decorate.

Then the fun began . . . .

Swimming, games & tons of treats.

The game was a HUGE hit.

Each group of three had five minutes to make a dress. 

h i l a r i o u s !

Then with toilet paper . . .

Then the cake . . .

It was truly a party to remember.
Can honestly say this was my favorite party Peanut has ever had! [and it was a sleepover, I know, crazy] ;)

They were still going strong the next morning. [on limited sleep, I must mention]

And they decorated their shoes.  I wish I would have thought to take the photo of all the shoes before they left.   So freaking creative these 12 year olds!

Anddddddddddddd
note to self:  have a birthday party for myself to score some major muuuulaaaaa!

We only had one party pooper the whole weekend . . . .

. . . . the nine pound rat . . . . . not the 275 pound Pita.

Happy 12th Birthday to my sweet Peanut.

"I Was Just Thinking" - Teitur

of. my. Dad.

Yesterday.
was.
his.
day.

His. birthday.  [no, I did NOT forget yesterday].  They [finally] return home from their travels today.  So.  Today.  I. write. his. Birthday. post.  [I'm 99% 5% sure, he'll read it]

To My dad.

Thank you  . . . . .

 . . . .for teaching me to sweat.  To work hard.

. . . .for expecting a lot from me.  [In school, at church, on the court, in life]

. . . .for teaching me about money [at an early age].  Teaching me that nothing should be purchased on a credit card that cannot be paid off completely by the time payment is due.  To "make interest don't pay it".

. . . .for taking walk/runs with me at night.  It was awesome counting to 100 while running so that I could stop and walk at 101.

. . . .for encouraging me play with my brother.  learn with him.  being "one of the boys" when it came to sports. has. helped. me. be. stronger.

. . . .for realizing & getting that I am emotional.  I pretend I am made like a M & M, but you know me better than that.

. . . .for teaching me by your example as much as by your words.

. . . .for the athletic genes.  Sorry mom don't mean to down play your awesome rollerskating youth but . . . . come on, he is "twinkle toes".

. . . .for telling me to finish strong.  no. matter. what.  Anything worth doing is worth sprinting the last 30 seconds. [or something like that. ;) ]

. . . .for giving of your love and time supporting your grandchildren.

. . . .for loving me unconditionally.  always.  I know I have let you down [plenty] in the past. 

. . . .for teaching me how to forgive by seeing you forgive others.

. . . .for having strong opinions.

. . . .for all your forwarded emails.  [I have a feeling I'll have about 20 coming my way by tomorrow afternoon.]  your emails. have. been. missed.

. . . .for being my Dad.

Love,

The "baby".

To "Baby E" / A.E.B

I'm so happy it's your day.  No, not even because it makes you one year older than me.  It's because I get to sit here this morning and reflect on you, on your day. 

Being that you are "X" years older than me [never mind that you look younger - whatever].   I'm amazed at how much I do remember about growing up with you.  Sure, some things were told to me . . . but a lot of the memories are right from this little brain of mine.

Nope, I don't remember this:

Or this:

What I do know is at a very difficult time in my life......you were the only one who could comfort me in the way I needed it.  I will never fully be able to express [in words] how much this meant to me.

You have always been there for me.

I have been told you would wake up with me at night so mom could sleep.  seriously?!  How many pre-teens would do that?  And as I'm told --- you'd sing to me when you'd get up with me.  [ahhhh, here come the tears]

I'm amazed.  often.  with you.  by you.  because of you.

Have you ever realized all you have done? All you do?  All you've accomplished?  All the trials you've come out "on top" of?  Things you do each and every day that are amazing?

Here's a few I can think of:

• Having 5 children
• The female college grad of the family
• Did I mention a Master's degree too?
• Eric
• Running
• Church callings
• listening
• forgiving [think tithing story]
• flying home to be with your crazy little 10 year old sister
• waiting [sorry don't remember exactly how many 7?] years to have a biological child
• your children in all their sports
• inviting me over to dinner when it was just you, R & Freddy
• kissing R after dinner prayer - I use your example every day now too ;)
• you had four kids - and you look like you've had none
• you working from home [on top of all the mom/wife work]
• dealing with that crazy dog of yours on Friday's ;)
• attending EXTRA family events
• you are a peacemaker
• you see the good in others
• you don't gossip
• texting me back
• texting me back fast
• always saying yes to me when I'm in a pinch
• always saying yes to most people
• you are kind
• you are emotional
• you are sensitive to other's needs/feelings
• letting me help [ha - is food helping?!] when I know something's going on [that's a big "KNOW" - as I usually would never know] ...which brings me to....
• you don't complain
• running a 1/2 marathon with less than 10 days notice
• patient.  you are the most patient person I know

Happy Birthday To MY Sister.

I love you.

CSS

I have a friend.

I adore her.

She lives far - far - away.  [okay, fine - - Utah . . . but it might as well be Egypt].

She's real. . . [meaning] not fake  -  she is who she is. 

Take it or leave it. 

Like her or dislike her.

She wouldn't "change" for anyone.  Not her clothes, speech, ideas or attitude.

She doesn't over "do" anything.  She's my queen of [trying to teach me] "moderation".

She tells me if [ok-when] I'm being stupid.

She tells me if I'm being [yep, when] a bad friend.

She tells me when she appreciates me.

She's a "thanks" girl.

She's not dramatic.  [how are we friends again?!]

She's always there for me.  Always cheering for me.

She calms me [this should be in the font size of 744].

She makes me want to be a better friend [to her and others].

Her laugh is the best I have EVER heard.

She's spiritual without being/acting saintly.

She never boasts - never.  Seriously.  Never.  a n d  trust me she has a lot to boast about.

She has two of the most adorable children [with the best personalities] I've ever seen/heard.

Did I mention I miss her?

Happy Thirty-something [older than me] Birthday Cass.

See you in [gasp/tear/joy] May.