365.10: Summer Fun Birthday Party

I cannot believe that we celebrated Holden's FOURTH birthday party today! FOUR! How has time sped up?
Holden has spent the last couple years (literally, years) asking to play with a slip'n'slide, and today was finally that glorious day. We had hot dogs, lemonade, popsicles,a sprinkler, bubbles, and all things summer.

We were T minus 25 minutes until guests arrived, and Turner had a run-in with a shovel. A run-in that ended up meaning a two-hour trip to urgent care and four stitches. So Ryan, Pop, and Turner made a fashionably late entrance. (FYI, it was not Holden on the other end of said shovel, but a responsible adult.)

Here is Holden with said slip'n'slide.

365.9: Doesn't Everyone Garden in Their PJ's?

Yesterday my mom got the boys excited to do some flower planting, but they were in bed before she started. So she did the only reasonable thing and saved the final pot for the three of them to plant first thing this morning, before they had even changed out of their PJ's.
What a great Mimi they have.
*sigh*

365.8: Tattoo!!

So tonight I got my first tattoo! It was something I drew eight years ago and have wanted ever since, so not a rash decision.
Ok--here is a close up!! Keep in mind that the shading will continue to fade, so thy won't be as dark, and also that this is 24 hours after the tattoo so the skin is still irritated and not healed up.

365.7: Survival Bacelets

Over the last few years, I have really loved watching Ryan's friendship with Adam. They love the same dude stuff that I just cannot force myself to get in to.
Like Survival Bracelets.
"Survival Bracelets?" you ask.
Survival Bracelets.
I'm pretty sure the idea is that you weave enough of a really strong rope together into a bracelet that you would have enough to help you out in case of an emergency. Like, say if the back fell off of your cell phone and you're in a sketchy area of town and you need to hold the phone together. (I honestly sat here and thought and could not for the life of me come up with a way that a rope would ensure survival; though I'm sure Bear Grylls could totally rattle off a million.)


It's really nice to have friends to weave survival bracelets with.

365.6: Beyond

When God has blessed you with a life so beyond your highest expectation, it's difficult to be anything but grateful when that chapter comes to a close.

For the past four years I have seriously lived a dream life. I've been surrounded by an amazing community of friends with whom I've shared deep, fulfilling relationships. Last night almost every one of these girls came to celebrate my birthday and say goodbye. It was an amazing, sweet time that I know I will always carry with me.

365.5: Summer Lovin'

Soaking in our last few playgroups with great friends at the pool.

365.4: Our Parents Were Friends Before We Were Born...

...that is the phrase Heather and I use every time we tell our story to anybody. Our parents all became friend around 35 years ago. All three of their respective children were born within days of each other. And here Heather and I are, 29 years later, celebrating our own children on special days.


"You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job."
Laurence J. Peter


And as a special treat, here is an extra shot I took of sweet Sarah Beth on the occasion of her dedication to the Lord.