SURPRISE!!!

Yesterday was my girlfriend Holly's surprise birthday party, planned by her hubby Adam!
He had this party in the works for a while, it took all that we had not to tell Holly about it - especially when she thought that her birthday wasn't going to be anything special this year! Boy was she wrong!

Her morning started out at the hair salon, where I treated her to new highlights and hair cut, I know that good hair always makes me happy, so I thought, hmmmm...wouldn't hurt (not saying she had bad hair, just know she has been wishing for it to be done for a little while now) and who doesn't want to be pampered for three hours?! I told her that I knew her and Adam were going out (said I ran into her hubby at school, preschool, both our kids go to the same one, and he told me he was taking her out), little did she know, we were all going to be there!

As soon as we saw Holly get out of the car - we all said, "Ahhhhhh, she looks beautiful!"
The anticipation built as we waited for them to walk to the patio of PF Changs...

...SURPRISE! Thinkin' she was trying to hold in the tears! We all had pretty big ones, if you know Holly, you know that this really meant the world to her! She is well worth it and I am so glad the she had a special evening.

I am pretty sure Holly had NO IDEA that we were all awaiting her arrival. She said the only thing she wondered was why they were taking her and her husband outside to eat?!

Makin' a wish!!!

Holly and I

My amazing friends from school - oh how I love them, good thing too, as I spend most of my day with them!!!

Adam and Holly

Holly -
I hope this birthday goes down in the books as one of the best ever!
You looked stunning last night!
Happy Birthday (a little early).
Hope this year brings great things for you and your family!

Kyan

If he isn't the sweetest thing, I don't know who is.
Yes, he has his moments, but don't we all?
Today, at the pumpkin patch he displayed why he might be the best brother in the entire world!
Thank you Kyan for being you!

Today, I remembered...

...and honored those who have fought and survived, as well as those who have lost the fight.

For the past two years, the school I work for has held an assembly honoring those with cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it is themed around PINK in every way, shape, and form. We were asked to decorate our windows and show our love and support this week by wearing pink.

Our window reads:

Hope is that thing
with feathers that perches in the
soul and sings the tune
without words and never stops...at all!
~Emily Dickinson

When we decorated our classroom window, I thought of one person and one person only. Brion. Brion had prostate cancer - the color for prostate cancer is light blue, so we added our special touches to our pink window, using just that color. It was beautiful and dedicated to him. We actually won the contest for the window. But it wasn't about winning for me, it was about remembering...and today I did. Not that I don't every day, because I think about Brion all the time, but especially today.

Six Years Since We Said 'I DO'

Today, Chad and I celebrate our 6 Year Wedding Anniversary.
One of the best pieces of advice we were given before we got married was to write letters to each other on our wedding night, to be opened on our one year anniversary. We have continued on with that tradition every year since we have been married. My wedding day was one of the most magical times I have ever celebrated in my life and having the letters each year to open from the previous year to each other is a definite reminder that the magic is still there. It is a very emotional gift that we give, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Anniversary to the man of my dreams. I love you Chad.

"I Yike It!"

We have another ranch lover in the family!

Finally

After over two months of waiting, I FINALLY learned the basics of my sewing machine, that was my birthday gift back in August, tonight!!! It has been a struggle to find the time to squeeze in a one-on-one lesson, but I somehow made it happen today! I got the machine at a little sewing store right by my house, it is quite the machine! I am really over the moon about it and can't wait to start making "stuff"! I am headed to the Park West Farmers Market Saturday morning after my hair appointment (thinking it is time for the dark with a few peek-a-boo blondes still coming through?!) to search for some things to sew! There are a couple of booths that have the kits with everything you need to make "something" (again, starting with basic, so what that something is, I don't know). I have a lot to learn, but I plan on having fun playing!!!

Mama

Your arms were always open when I needed a hug.

Your heart understood when I needed a friend.

Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson.

Your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings

to fly.

~ Sarah Malin

"The girls - 3 generations" a little blury, but we will take it! Thank you Kyan!

Grandma Julie and Kyan. You can sort of see one of the tattoos on Kyan's arm, but my mom brought him two little tattoo books that had ten tattoos in each, by the end of the trip, Kyan and my mom were all tatted up! No picture with just Lola, although her and my mom really bonded this trip - think this was a great visit for them!

The four of us - and the saying on the picture says it all -
A house needs a grandma in it.

My oh my, how we adored our time with you. I was missing you so much and I can't thank you enough for coming down here, last second, and visiting us! From the cooking, to the cleaning, to the spending time with both of my children, and me of course, we are so grateful and lucky that you are able to see us as often as you do! We wish that you would live here forever (secretly in our house), but will settle for our quick weekend visits. We love you so much, more than you will ever know!