Julia's 7th Birthday in Pictures

My girl turned 7 and we had a Pinkalicious celebration! We had so much fun planning for the party - there's a lot of pink girl stuff to choose from at the stores. =) John's parents were able to drive up for the weekend, along with my sister-in-law, Kara. They were all a huge help!

I'll let all the pictures do the talking, but to sum it up we made tiaras, painted nails, played games, ate cupcakes, opened presents, and had a treasure hunt where Julia found her bike. Julia wore a cupcake shirt, a special tiara, and a beautiful tutu that Gran brought for her. Her guests were all school and church friends....

Happy Birthday, Jules!!!

From Irritating to Thought Provoking

As I was driving the other day, I came to a red light. It was a big intersection and I knew the light would be long so I picked up my phone to check for an email I was expecting. Before I even had my emails pulled up, I heard a honk and looked around to see who it was. I noticed the driver to my left, along with her passenger, wagging her finger at me and mouthing, "No, no!"

I was at a loss because it was so unexpected. They rolled down their window and so of course I rolled down mine. She then said, "Don't text and drive!" I just raised my eyebrow and reminded her that the light was red and I never text when I'm driving. (Never mind the fact I wasn't even texting. I don't suppose that would matter though.) She replied, "Okay, just don't do it while you're driving! We're just trying to protect you!"

At this point I just nodded my head slightly and rolled my window back up. I was so irritated. It bothered me for two days straight! I wasn't dishonest with the lady - I don't text or email while driving. I think it just bothered me because she was sticking her nose in my business as if she could tell me what to do. And I certainly wasn't doing anything wrong or unsafe since I was at a long red light. She didn't even know me, but felt she had the authority to speak down to me.

I was so aggravated. Beyond aggravated really. (Which I now see is ignorant, by the way.)

But then the thought occurred to me: this is probably similar to what a pro-choice woman feels when a pro-life person speaks their mind. To them. At them.

I'm not saying those who are pro-life shouldn't speak out, but it really gave me a perspective I've never had before. Just a thought.....

I wonder what you would have done or said if the lady had honked at you?

John David's 10th Birthday

My boy turned 10.

The same boy we've affectionately called "Little" for years.

Except he's not so much anymore.

Yes, that one.

TEN.

Count the candles if you want.

We celebrated with a Star Wars party at home.

And a surprise visit from "Nate the Great" who was a little 8th grader in our youth group back when John David was born.

There were plenty of friends. And plenty of laughs.

And for some reason, John David is now "allergic" to the color orange and he passes out immediately if he sees it. His friends all think it's hysterical.

Of course there were birthday spankings too.

And birthday wishes made.

Games played.

(Those are limes with Yoda faces if you were wondering.)

Lots of presents and a treasure hunt too!

The treasure hunt was very fast paced and dark at times so it didn't allow for many pictures. I did manage to get this quick shot of Darth Vader on crutches. When the garage door opened for John David to find his present - an electric scooter - Darth Vader (with a mask of course) stepped out from the shadows and fought John David. It was great!

Here he is a week later outside on his scooter.

And there's Darth Daddy taking a ride too!

It was a fun night!

(for future reference: Elizabeth, Kyler, JD, Josh, Ava, Jalen, Brianna, Cole, Sydney, Mimi, Kendall)

Happy Birthday, John David!

John David's 10th Birthday Videos

Video of singing Happy Birthday and then getting birthday spankings:

(Please excuse my horrendous accent that has apparently only grown since moving out of Texas.)

Video of the treasure hunt part 1:

(If you have motion sickness go pop some Dramamine before watching.)

Video of the treasure hunt part 2:

(this is the last clue leading up to going out to the garage to find his "loot")

Video of the end of the treasure hunt and John David dueling against Darth Daddy:

(It was dark outside, but you can still see good enough. You should know that John's knee has been injured - he'll have surgery next month - so this was quite a sacrifice on his part to be Darth. I had decided we just wouldn't be able to do it and he said at the last minute that he could pull it off. Towards the beginning of the video one of the little boys was going to town kicking John's leg. Kinda funny, but Darth had to whack him on the head with his light saber to make him stop! Ha!)

Aulora Turns Four (a belated post!)

It's been almost two months already!

(Bad blogging mommy, bad blogging mommy!)

We had a family celebration for Aulora's birthday and she had decided she wanted a "princess birthday". You won't really see it in the pictures, but the table was very princessy.

She worked very hard to get those four fingers up.

When she finally managed to do it, she was a little excited.

Four candles on a pink sprinkle cake that Julia helped make.

Best friends to the end.

Aulora got a princess scooter. She's also wearing her new pink tutu.

Trying to get the four fingers one more time......

Boo, you are the sweetest little monkey and we love you sooooo much! Your sweet love and kisses are the best thing and we are thankful every day for you........