Happy Birthday, BFA&F!

Remember her?

One year has passed and her day has arrived again...

Steph isn't blogging these days... but maybe she'll pick it up again if all of you stop by her blog and wish her a happy birthday!

Be blessed, my sweet, sweet friend!

The Gift of Words

A message from my dad on my Facebook page:

Hi, Dawn. Wish we could be there with you today. 45 years ago today, Mom was in Ohio having you. As usual, I wasn't home. I was in Colorado Springs flying the Air Force Academy Cadets to Washington D.C. for LBJ's inauguration. I took emergency leave and was home the next day. What a darling, beautiful surprise when I got there. Happy Birthday. Hope you're having a special day.....Love You, Dad and Mom

I've always known my dad was away with the Air Force when I was born and that he had to get emergency leave to come home. But, I'd never known what he was doing at that point in his military career.

Words to treasure!

The 44th on January 20, 2009

That's right... 44.

It's a number you're hearing a lot about today.

It's a very special day, of course.

Momentous.

Historic.

There's going to be official celebrations, parades, parties, and balls. And probably chocolate cake.

Much fanfare.

Oh, I'm certain there will be naysayers.

Those who say it can't be. Shouldn't be.

No matter your view...

Your stand...

Your beliefs...

Today is the day.

That's right!

Today is...

MY 44th BIRTHDAY!

We ROCK! (Or, several weeks in fast review.)

We ROCKED homecoming. And, we WON!

We ROCKED the part and were appropriately dressed.

Our homecoming court ROCKED the evening!

Isn't she gorgeous? "A" is our neighbor and she's beautiful on the inside, too. Last year when Burrito was a freshman and she was a junior, she made sure that Burrito's first days of high school went well. She walked and talked in the halls with him. She even invited him to sit with her and her girl friends at lunch. Umm... hello! A freshman guy walking, talking and lunching with gorgeous junior girls. Yep, that had to help Burrito's reputation! (We reminded Burrito to "pay it forward" when he started his sophomore year this fall.)

She deserved the crown - don't you agree?! Sadly, she wasn't crowned the queen. (We demand a recount!)

We ROCKED with the cheerleaders. (We love the cheerleaders, right Kat?)

We ROCKED in the stands.

Our drill team ROCKED the halftime show. (Go, "H"!)

Then we ROCKED with parties.

Kat's best friend "M" attended homecoming with us (an annual tradition) and then spent the night. "M" wasn't available to attend on the date we'd planned to have the birthday sleepover, so we had a "party-before-the-party" after the homecoming celebration. After all, a girl can't celebrate her 13th birthday without her best friend!

Bud headed for the coast the next morning and ROCKED on the water. (Not to be confused with walking on water!)

The next weekend, we ROCKED the "second" birthday sleepover with Kat's school friends.

We ROCKED several band competitions. (With another one this coming weekend.)

We ROCKED with success!

We're a ROCKIN' family!

Happy 13th Birthday, Kat!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy birthday with all my love to my amazing, teenage daughter!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT)

Today's her birthday!!!

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
(Proverbs 20:6 NLT)

I did!!!

"Thank you, Lord, for blessing my life with Steph... a loyal, forever friend! Pour out your gifts upon her and bless her with a long life filled with love, joy and contentment."

In honor of my BFA&F's birthday and in celebration of my 50th post, leave a comment on this post with a birthday wish for Steph and I will do a random drawing from these comments. The winner will receive something that is a favorite of these two BFA&F's - chocolate!!! And this is no ordinary chocolate, I can promise you! Comments will close at 11:59 PM (Central Time) on Saturday, August 2nd. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 4th.

Happy Birthday, Steph!!!

Update: Comments are closed! Winner will be announced on Monday! If you'd like to wish Steph a happy belated birthday, go here.

It's Burrito's Birthday!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. " (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT)

Happy Birthday to my Sister!

There is no Friend like a Sister

There's no better friend than a sister -
There's no one more loyal and true…
and even when sisters are different…
their likeness come shining through!

Perhaps it's a family resemblance

that strengthens the bond they share…
or maybe it's just that sisters
live life with a similar flair!
A sister remembers your collegehood -
She knows more than you will admit
of times you were Little Miss Perfect…
and times you gave others a fit!
She's seen you in some situations
when silence just wouldn't suffice…
and managed somehow to get by
with those sisterly words of advice!

And when some encouragement's needed…
a sister will always be there…
to listen…
to laugh…
or to lean on…
to comfort, or simply to care.

There's no one who's more in your corner…
and no one you're more grateful to.
There's no better friend than a sister…
and no better sister than you.

(From "There Is No Friend Like A Sister" by Mary Engelbreit)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SISTER!

Happy Birthday, Queen Mum!!!

Several weeks ago, I wrote a Mother’s Day post in which I described my mom (a.k.a., “Queen Mum”) in one word: faithful. She asked if I would take the time at some point to tell her why I chose that one word. In honor of her birthday today, I thought it would be fitting to write about why I describe the Queen Mum as faithful.

First, Mom has always been faithful to the Lord. While she is often soft-spoken about her faith, she lives her life in such a way that all who know her are able to see Christ though the example of her life. If Mom’s faith has ever wavered, I’ve never seen it. I know Mom is faithful to pray for my family and me.

Mom has been faithful to Dad for 45 years. In our society, that’s quite an accomplishment! As a wife, she has been the best role model I could ever hope to have. She taught me about the value of having girl friends, but more importantly of being loyal to and best friends with my husband above all others.

Mom has been a faithful mother to my sister and me. Remember my post on Mama Bears? Let’s just say I learned at the feet of the master! My mom re-entered the workforce when I was in the sixth grade. It was a hard adjustment after having her at home with us, but I always knew that her role as our mom came before any work commitments. And, her example had prepared me to step up to the plate and take care of my sister after school and to begin helping with the housework and meal preparations.

I’ve never lived in the same state as the Queen Mum since I’ve had my kiddos. Yet, she is faithful to maintain a close relationship with Burrito and Kat. She is faithful to follow the events of their lives, faithful to pray for and ask about those events, and faithful to celebrate their accomplishments with them. She is faithful in coming alongside Bud and I to help raise our children.

Mom is faithful in her relationships. In a world of superficial friendships, instant messages and emails, Mom still takes the time to regularly send cards and personal letters through the U.S. Postal system to stay in touch with friends and family. She is well known for her habit of clipping magazine and newspaper articles, cartoons, advertisements, etc., that she believes someone would enjoy receiving. Each card or letter is stuffed with these clippings - a sure indicator that those she cares about are on her mind as she goes about her daily routine.

Mom is a faithful worker. She has been employed by the same company since she went back to work. While never neglecting her family, she has worked with excellence at whatever her responsibilities were at the time. (They’ll be so sorry when she finally decides to retire! Ha!) Her work ethic is a great example to our family.

The Queen Mum is simply faithful.

If she says it, it is so.

If she agrees to do it, it’s as good as done.

If she promises to be there, she’s there.

Amen!

(I don’t know why, but it just seemed appropriate to add an “amen” at that spot.)

Thank you for your example of faithfulness, Mom. Happy birthday and I love you!

Happy Birthday to my favorite 16-year-old nephew!!!

Today is Nephew’s 16th birthday. He’s my only sister’s only kiddo. And, he was born a year before I had any kiddos of my own. He was my “practice kiddo.” Special. Super special.

Nephew,

It was love at first sight when I held you for the first time. A love so powerful that I wondered if I would love my own kiddos that much some day. (I do!) You were so tiny. So sweet.

Our first night there, you cried and cried. You were only a week old and your mama was so exhausted. (Kiddos are hard work at that age, you know!) I slipped out of my bed and into the room you were sharing with her. You had already been fed and diapered so I knew you didn’t need her at that moment. So, I picked you up, swaddled you snuggly in a soft blanket and rocked you. I whispered to you while we rocked. Do you remember what I told you? Don’t worry, I don’t remember all of it either! I do remember telling you what a special person you are and how much I love you. And, I kissed your beautiful face. Yes, that embarrassing ritual started all the way back then.

Sixteen years have flown by. Look at you! Almost grown up and way taller than me now. You are still just as special to me and I am so proud of the man you are becoming!

Have I embarrassed you here? Good! I’m your Aunt and that’s just one of my duties. And, I’ll be kissing your face just as soon as you get here in July. Yep, right in the middle of the airport for everyone to witness!!!

‘Cause I love you! XO

Happy 16th Birthday!!!

P.S. – Just be thankful I don’t have the naked baby pictures in digital format. I could always scan a few…