A few Christmas Pics

Here is a slide of just a few of our Christmas pictures. I don't have some from Selma and Christmas Day on here but we had a great Christmas week!! The girls can recite Luke 2 (at least a good bit of the Christmas story - video coming soon) and they are truly understanding how fortunate we are compared to so many others. They had fun giving.... and receiving this year. Hope everyone had a great one too!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

4

This is what a dear friend of mine did on her blog because someone tagged her. It seemed like fun.
Look on your computer for the 4th album and post the 4th picture.... no cheating!!!



Oh my, this is old!!! And this is Emi and Payton!!! Not Payton and Graci!!! I guess I really do have clone children :)

THANKSGIVING 2008

What a fun Thanksgiving day we had at mom and dads. Very laid back and fun just relaxing and sharing and talking. Something we don't get to do too often these days.

The kids rode Big Wheels (yes the old fashioned kind we used to have) and played on the play set outside while we cooked and "played" inside. We missed the other cousins that weren't able to join us this year though.

I am so thankful for my family!!!

Recipes

I had a baby shower for a friend a couple of weeks ago and we had some pretty yummy food that some people were wanting the recipes for. My mom gave me the recipes and I'm not sure where she got them (from her church cookbook I think)... anyway, they are yummy... enjoy!!!

Sausage Cheese Casserole

1 pack of crescent rolls
1 lb sausage (hot & spicy)
2 cups mozzerella cheese
2 cups cheddar cheese
4 eggs
3/4 cup milk
salt and pepper

Cook sausage and drain. Line bottom of pan with crescent rolls. Mix together all ingredients and pour over crescent rolls. Bake for 30 minutes at 375.

However, we doubled this for the shower so it was extra cheesy!!!


Cheese Grits Casserole

Cook grits for 5 minutes
1 cup grits
1 tsp salt
4 cups boiling water

Stir into cooked grits:
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs (well beaten)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Stir until all ingredients are well mixed together and cheese is melted completed.

Pour into 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

Cook for 1 hour at 350.


Hope you enjoy!!! These will be good during the holidays because they can be fixed the night before and just heated up the next morning.

Cousin Pic

Finally a picture of the 5 rugrats all together!!! We had a great day!!! Played at the park, rode bicycles, hiked up hills, walked in the woods, and then to my house for a while. It was so nice to be able to spend some time together and just play!!!! I love my boys and girls!!!

November

I can't believe that it is honestly November already and that Thanksgiving will be here in just a few weeks and then Christmas not too far behind. I love this time of year!!! The cool weather just feels so refreshing when you go outside. The leaves are finally changing colors. The bugs are finally not so bad you can't go outside. You can leave your windows open all day and night and it always feels good in the house. It just feels "good" :)

However, I have just realized that my baby will be 2 in less than 2 months. November is here and that means December is just right around the corner. I think I must be a little crazy. It seems to be bothering me that she is turning 2. I remember being emotional on my other girls birthdays too, but I have always been pregnant by this point. It is just so wierd to finally be getting out of the baby phase here at our house. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be pregnant and I don't want another baby, I just can't believe my baby is about to 2!!! Guess I need to get busy working on a birthday party huh?

HUGE PRAISE

This is the biggest praise I have been able to share in a long time and not sure if this isn't the biggest answer to prayer I have ever received either. I found out this weekend that my PawPaw, the one so many of you have been praying for for so long, received Jesus into his heart and is following in Baptism this weekend!!!!!!!!! I couldn't stop crying because I was just so happy. His health is still deteriorating and we don't really know how much longer he has before the cancer takes over every part of his body, but he is Saved now!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! We are all going up this Sunday afternoon to see his baptism. Oh happy my heart is today!!!! Isn't he adorable?!?!?!

Camping - We did it!

We did it!!! Bryan and I took all 3 girls on our first family camping trip and had a blast!!!! I sure hope that we are starting memories for them like Bryan and I have from our childhoods. We left on Thursday morning and came back late Saturday. We went to Lake Coleman up in the Talladega National Forest. My parents and some of their friends were up there (which I was thankful for) on their yearly trip. We learned a lot and will probably have a lot more to learn, but this is definitely something I can see us doing for years to come, and even after kids have moved out later in life. It is kind of expensive up front, but then it truly is going to be an inexpensive way for us to get away as a family. I hope this is the first of many trips to come!!

It rained the firstfull day we were there and I was so upset about it. I mean, 3 kids in the rain in a leaking tent :( But they handled it well and made the best out of it. They put their new rain boots on and played until they were too cold to. We roasted marshmellows and made smores (which none of mine liked), rode bikes all over the campgrounds, played with hotweels in the dirt, made animals with playdough, had awesome meals cooked outside, walked around the lake, threw rocks into the lake (with only close encounters to falling in) and took only a million pictures. It was soooo much fun!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm sure I'll think of more as I load pictures and when I do, I'll post. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Patch

We did our annual pumpkin patch trip this past Sunday with Bryan's side of the family and we had a great time!! It was the coolest trip we have ever taken as far as the weather goes. It held off even sprinkling until we were done and on our way to the car. The kids loved it this year. They were so proud of their pumpkins!!

"You're a Mom"

Okay, this is a quote that came out of a man's mouth yesterday. This quote "You're a mom" made me stop and think ... a lot.

Here's the situation:
I had just gone to the gym and ran 2 miles and then worked out. So, no, I wasn't all made up and looking beautiful and I had all my kids in tow too. I had to go and get my car looked at because it was making a funny noise. When I walked in I said I was sorry for looking so bad but I had just been to the gym. This man nonchalantly says, "that's okay, you're a mom". Now he honestly meant no harm in this statement and probably didn't think anything after he said it. But I on the other hand did.

Is that what "stay at home mom's" are supposed to look like??? I mean, I really do try and be presentable most of the time but is this what people think??? Are we supposed to look bad because we are moms? I don't think so. I want to look nice for my husband and my kids, but that is just not possible at all times.

Am I the only one that feels this way???

Just had to vent....

Bathroom Pictures ... finally!!!

Well it has only taken me over a month to finally get some pictures up of my bathroom. It took a little while to do but it really turned out really great!!! I love it so much better than I did before. Still have a few things to hang up, but this is the finished product.

It was such a bright red before that I had to Kilz it first along with doing the texture paint and then finally painting the color. We framed my mirror with molding that I bought, cut and stained. Now that is a whole other story. The wood was warped and didn't want to be hung up on the mirror, but I made it stay.... for now :)

Before: (and check out that wallpaper!!!!)
During:
After:

I Pledge Allegiance

"I Pledge Allegiance" as said by one 3 year and one 5 year old

Emi
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Publix in which we stand
one nation under God
indivisible, with liberty and Justice for all

**and Emi laughed when I told her the correct word was republic and said "right mom"

Payton
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of the Americas
and to the republix for which it stands
one nation under God
Indibisble, and with Liberty and with Justin for all

The Fair - SO NOT FAIR!!!!

Last night we decided to go to the fair that was at Oak Mountain for some fun time with the family, grandparents and cousins. It truly was a good time except for a couple of things. Money and the camel.....

This first part is just for me to rant and rave about money, so you don't have to read it if you don't want to. But I am outraged at just how much things cost last night.

* It was $8 per adult and $5 per kid to just get IN the gate - no rides or anything included! Now that is a little bit ridiculous. Graci and Payton were free because kids 4 and under got in free. So that was one little happy in the midst of everything else.
* Each ticket was $1 - and each ride or game was at THE LEAST, 3 tickets - understand, that means $3 to go down a slide!!!!!!
* Some games for $5 to just shoot a gun or jump up and down or ride something that goes round and round
* Some people didn't except the hand stamp (which was $20 and supposed to get you into any ride as long as you were there) and wouldn't except the tickets you bought - they only wanted cash!!!
* They made us pay for Graci to do anything, and charged the parent to ride too. That means we paid $6 to ride the stupid tea cups one time!!! (her face was precious though - that is the only ride she did!)
* The food was horrible and overpriced
* The people were just plain scary looking

Now, the kids did have a great time and they laughed a lot. Thankfully, they don't understand the concept of money yet. We had fun with Nana, Paw, Uncle Shawn, NatNat, Aunt Jen, Will and Brooks. The kids were hilarious!!

Emi rode the high swings, the Hurricane thing, the roller coaster, and anything else she was tall enough to do. She is definitely my little dare devil. Payton loved the things she did too. She rode the small coaster, the cars, the tea cups, and some other little rides too. She just wanted to be wherever her Brooks was :)

The biggest downer of the night was the poor camel that died. I tell you, I have the worst luck!! I was talking with my lil sis NatNat and was looking at the camels and watched one's feet slip out of from under it and twist it's ankle and hit the pavement with a loud thud! It was horrific!! When it fell, it landed on a metal post that was part of the gate and it went straight through it's heart. I watched it kick and seize and bleed out - it really gave me nightmares last night and I couldn't quit crying while I was watching it all happen. They couldn't get a vet there fast enough before it passed. But like my hubby said, they would have needed a fork lift to move it at all anyway. It truly was a very very sad thing to witness. It had been with its owner for 18 years and its partner (the camel's that is) was watching it all happen and started going wild. It took them a while to get that one back in the trailer. That poor camel doesn't have a mate anymore. I know it sounds crazy me sitting here typing about a camel, but honestly, it scarred me....

No more fairs for the Reeds.....

So Behind

I have so much I want to write about and put pictures of up on the blog, but I just can't seem to find the time to do so. But to come, pictures of my bathroom finally painted, PayPays booboo on her head, our beach trip, Emi's backhandspring video.... whew, this is wearing me out just thinking about it.
Anyway, here is one pic from the beach that I love, out of so many!!!

Pay Pay Quote

I took her to gymnastics yesterday and walked her in the room and then walked out. As I watching through the window I saw Ms. Kim ask her name.
Kim: What's your name again sweetie?
Payton: Pay Pay
Kim: Pay Pay?
Payton: Yes
Kim: That is so cute. What is your last name?
Payton: Peanut
Then I see Kim break into laughter as she was searching her role. I walked back in and told her name and Kim thought it she the cutest thing ever!!!

New Week, Better Attitude

Things are going much better this week. Thanks so much to all you for your prayers. It has been a rough couple of weeks, but I think we are finally moving in the right direction.

We are planning on leaving for the beach this Sunday, so that is the new prayer request: Pray that the weather holds off and we are able to have a fun family vacation together.

Here are the pictures of Payton's first day of gymnastics last week too that I promised.

When it rains, it pours...

At least that is what everyone always says.

Well, Payton now has a fever virus (104 was the highest today).

Need I say more....

Sulfur Allergy!!!

Well, I so wish that I could make this post as ellaborate in wording as some of my fellow posters do, but, don't get your hopes up because I can't.

I know a few posts back I was down and aggravated about my health and ready to run away, well the saga continues. When I had that eye infection (cellulitis) they put me on tons of Bactrim (a sulfur based antibiotic). I was taking massive amounts to try and keep me from going into the hospital. I started feeling really bad on it though and quit taking it 3 days after I started. Praise the Lord that I did!!!! Now let me explain why....

About a week ago I came up with some spots on my stomach that looked like poison ivy. I did the normal thing to treat it but for the life of me couldn't figure out how I had gotten it. It only worsened until I finally made myself go to the doctor, yet again, to get a cortisone shot. That was this past Monday. (I still wasn't convinced it was poison ivy.) Last night I was up all night scratching and the rash had now spread all up my back and down onto my hips and legs. So, needless to say, I called the doctor back this morning and they wanted to see me. When I got there the doctor said I was definitely having a reaction to something but I couldnt' figure out anything I had changed. In talking to him (more like my rambling on and on to him) I told him I ever had anything normal with me in dealing with my health. I told him my stye had turned into cellulitis and he literally stopped me midsentence and asked me what they had given me for that. I told him Bactrim and if there could have been a light bulb above his head it would have turned on brightly at this point. He said, "that's it, you're highly allergic to sulfur".

So I am on more drugs, steroid pills, a pill to try and help the itch and any ointment that makes me more comfortable (which would be none!!). I literally feel like someone is scratching my skin with lit matches!!!!

Pray for comfort and sleep please!!!

Payton's First Day of 3K

Yesterday was PayPay's first day of 3K and she had the best time. She was so happy when she woke up and she couldn't wait until the time I told her to get into the car. She was super excited about her teacher, Mrs. Jennifer, and all of her friends in her class. She is going 3 days a week this year and looking very forward to it. Her daddy had flowers and a balloon for both girls on their first day. He is the best!!

She also has her very first gymnastics class today... pictures to come after of course.

Here's my baby... growing up too quickly...

My Kindergartner

Today was Emi's first day as a 5 year old kindergartner.

Can I just say that she was a little excited about it?

She woke up first at 5:30 and wanted to know if it was time to get up. I convinced her to go back to bed and ended up having to wake her up at 7:30. She was so cute and couldn't wait to get there.

So amidst the nasty, rainy weather outside, we had very sunny spirits inside.

She had a great first day and I know we are going to love Mrs. Marcia a lot!!!

You are an example to others... like it or not

Bryan and I have been married for almost 8 years (so hard to believe) and we have both grown and changed in so many ways. We have always been involved in our church and each with our own groups but watching how much we have actually grown over the years and to see the fruit of it in our children is pretty amazing. I can only imagine how Jesus feels when He looks down and we are "pleasing" him with our actions.

Bryan started reading a Bible Story each night with the 2 older girls and giving them a time of question and answer about the story. They really look forward to this time with their daddy every night. He sits on each of their beds and reads a story on each bed. Then they have their time of prayer with him and then he prays for them. Such a neat tradition he has started and I know it is one of GREAT value.

Tonight, I went in to tell them goodnight after he was done and told the girls they needed to pray for Graci because she hadn't slept well last night and didn't nap well today (sidenote: i am never going to get any sleep).

Here is the rest of the scenario:

Emi: I need to get on my knees and pray like we do sometimes in choir mommy.
Me: That would be nice. (as she kneels down between their beds)
Emi: Dear Jesus, as we come to you tonight, we thank you for hearing our prayers.
**okay, I started crying then... she was modeling her daddy's prayers**
I pray for Graci and thank you that she gets a good night sleep and that mommy will too.
Thank you for loving us. Amen
Payton: (as she gets down on her knees) Dear Jesus, thank you for helping Graci's ear to feel
better. We love you.

All I can say is, we follow by looking at someone as our example. This is something that has "bothered" me when I think about raising 3 girls in today's world. Bryan and I have had many late night talks about the responsibility given to us when we brought these precious girls into the world. I need to be the example they see for being a Christian mom and wife. Bryan needs to be the example they see for boyfriend / husband material. We, together, need to be the example they see as marriage the way God intended it.

I can just say, I am thankful for the example Bryan is setting now. For me and the girls. He is leading by being the example. Nothing more, and nothing less. It convicts me when I haven't spent any time in the Word or in prayer and it is convicting the girls when they say/do different things during the day.

Bryan, you are a true gift from God to me. Looking back over the last 10 years of our relationship, we have learned a lot and grown a lot. You are an amazing friend, husband, father and leader and I thank the Lord for you everyday. Love you Bry!!!!

Buckmaster Expo

Today was a daddy-daughter day for Emi and Payton. We got up this morning and I got them dressed in their "Bass Pro Shop" tshirts and big pink bows (of course) and they headed off to Montgomery to be with their daddy at the Buckmaster Expo. They met some very dear friends of ours down there. Deer, guns, tshirts, food, icecream, a bear statue at Bass Pro Shop and so much more. They had a great time!!! So why does Bryan need a boy???? HE DOESN'T :) Thankfully, his girls are right in there like their mommy was when I was little. Prissy when the time called for it, but TomBoy all the way when needed. I love my girls!!! And not only that, my husband ROCKS!!! I have trained him so well. He took his camera and took the pictures so I could put them on my blog and in my scrapbook!! He is the best!!!

And while they were gone, I started painting my bathroom (thanks for the incentive A). I painted while Graci napped and then we headed out to the new Publix - it was soooo neat!!! Helena is gonna have to do some updating now.

Summer fun and the BEST cupcakes

I can't believe that summer is almost over. :(

We have had the best time just going to the pool and hanging out with friends. The girls are literally fish in the water now. Graci is jumping off the diving board right along with her big sissys and thinking she is just as big as they are. The water wings are truly bigger than her whole head, but she doesn't seem to care that much. Not only that, she seems to take the best naps (3 hours today) after swimming for a couple of hours in the morning. I don't know what we are going to do in a couple of weeks when the big girls start school and our whole schedule changes. This ought to be interesting!!!

As far as the best cupcakes... I won't mention any names (cough cough J Vines) but I had to put these pictures up of my sweet girl enjoying every single bit of her yummy cupcake at her cousin's party. She of course wouldn't touch her own at her first birthday and really hasn't cared much for them since, but now that she has tasted the BEST cupcakes ever, she is totally in love with them - you go Graci!!! (and of course, Emi and Pay have always loved them...you can see the remnants on their faces!)

THANKS J!!!!!!! - Love Graci

Olympics....maybe one day

Can I just say that we are loving watching the Olympics. It is so much fun to watch the girls as they are glued to the tv during the swimming, diving and of course, gymnastics!! Emi is so funny. She is constantly asking questions about everything they are doing. "When did they start? how old are they now? What's that called? How long before I can do that?" and so on and on..... The scary thing is, that if she keeps up with this training schedule she is on, she could be in the 2020 Olympics. That is just kind of freaky to me!!! The training program she is on is one that when she turns 7, she will be on the TOPS team and they are on an Olympic training schedule. Someone from USA Gymnastics was talking about our gym and how they were watching our TOPS team closely for some people that could possibly be in the 2012 or 2016 Olympics. Pretty cool!!! Not sure if that is where God is leading, but we will do whatever she is wanting and whatever HE wants us to do.

Fun with cousins

I know I am probably overwhelming the blogging world, if there is anyone even reading this. But it is for me and I wanted to get all of this down. My sweet sister-in-law called and we met her and her 2, Anna Reed and Gates, at Chick Fil A the other day for lunch and then they came over and spent the whole afternoon. We had a great time. The kids played and laughed a lot. It was too hot to be outside so we just stayed in and played on Emi's new gymnastics mat that she got for her birthday. Here are the results from our pyramid attempts. Too funny!!!

Payton's Last Dance Class

Payton had her last day of dance for the summer session and she had the best time. Her teachers, Ms. Melissa and Ms. Ashlee, let them all dress as princesses for a party and to dance in their dresses. Payton thought this was the coolest thing ever! I registered her for dance for the fall and as of right now, she wants to do it. She is only interested in the recitals though, let's pray she enjoys the practice and doesn't freak on the recital. Doesn't she make a beautiful ballerina though?

Emi is 5!!!!

I know I am a week late at posting this, but my baby girl turned 5 on July 31. She was so cute and so excited about finally being 5. I think she thought some fireworks or something were going to go off when the day came. She almost seemed disappointed when nothing "spectacular" happened. Of course I was just in shock that she was already 5 years old. It all seems to have flown by.

I was still feeling so bad and I wanted it to be a special day for her, so I did all I could do and it ended up being a VERY special day.

First, Bryan took her and Payton to breakfast before he left to go out of town for the weekend. They went to Chick-Fil-A which is their favorite. Then Emi had gymnastics practice, which of course she was super excited about, and she was thrown into the Pit by her team. She had been looking forward to that for weeks. Then Aunt Jen, Will & Brooks showed up and met us all at gymnastics. We went to Sonic and enjoyed some ice cream. We then went home and she actually took a nap for an hour. That night she had an extra special treat because I just really wasn't feeling good. She got to go and spend the night with her cousins, Will and Brooks, and be with Aunt Jen and Uncle Shane. She had the BEST time. They took her for a milkshake and just gave her some extra special birthday loving!!! (Thanks guys!!)

We also had her birthday party. It was a pool party at my moms and we had the best time! It was soooooo hot but I think she really enjoyed the day. She loves swimming so much and she is just a little fish, as are Payton and Graci. She loves jumping off the diving board and swimming under water as far as she can. She has learned how to play a couple of games and just all in all is a little "water bug". Thanks to all of you that came and made her party so special. We had a GREAT time!!!

Down again

I was on the mend. ......

I turned 33 last week and it was a special day.

But for some reason, this birthday bothered me.
I was very emotional about it.
I had my feelings hurt that some people forgot.
I realized that I am now officially middle age.
My body is changing in ways I am not happy about (even though I am working out).
My hair never looks good (hormones maybe)
And my toe was still hurting from breaking it 9 weeks ago and I still couldn't do any cardio (which I need to balance out my mood swings).

However, this past Monday my toe was finally feeling better and I was able to run a mile on and this made me so happy!

Then the next blow came.

While at the gym on Monday, I realized that my eye was a little sore and that I had a stye. I went swimming and by Monday afternoon I had to call the eye doctor. Good thing I went. By the time I got there, my eye was pretty swollen. I had a stye in both the upper and lower lids and it was a type of infection that spreads across the eyelids. Not just a normal stye (of course not, it's me).

I was put on an eye ointment and Omincef because it couldn't just be cleared up with eye drops. I was told to put hot compresses on it and to rest.

Tuesday morning I woke up and it was much worse. By Tuesday afternoon, it looked horrible. I had to go back to the doctor and she said "you have a doozy of a case". Now that didn't make it any better. The pain in my eye made me just want to cry. She said that it had turned into cellulitis of the eye and we had to get it under control or I would have to be put in the hospital on IV antibiotics. I freaked a little needless to say. So, she put me on Bactrim on top of the other medications that I started on Monday. I am on so many meds right now, and I hate the way I feel.

Thankfully, my little brother came and picked up the girls and they stayed with my mom and dad last night so I have been able to rest a little. My eye looks horrible (I won't put a picture up I promise) and I have a low grade fever that is making me just a little irritable.

My sweet granulated sugar came and brought me a happy today. Some soup and crackers, ice cream, flowers, and of course acidophilus!!! That made smile!!

Emi turns 5 tomorrow and Bryan is leaving to go out of town tomorrow. Pray that I feel better so I can make her have a special day. She is super excited about turning 5. I think she thinks that there will be fireworks that are going to go off or something. She had gymnastics in the morning and she is excited about that because she gets to be thrown in the pit for her birthday. We bought her a new gymnastics mat for her present so I know she is going to be excited about that.

Enough whining. I know God is in control and this too shall pass. I can't get Adam Cunningham's song out of my head. It is keeping me going right now. If you don't have his cd - get it - it's awesome!!

Don't Let Go
Don't you back down from wherever you are
You know the ending is never that far
Hold onto Jesus with all of your might
He's more than able to conquer the night
He'll give you strength like you've never known
Stand up, stand strong don't you ever let go
Don't Give In
Don't Give up until the end

http://www.myspace.com/adamcunninghamband

Jesus sees me and hears me crying out to Him.

So all this to say, I'm not giving up or letting go and I will keep trudging along and praising God the whole time. In pain anall without doubting that God is in control.

Friends Forever

I have been blessed with so many great friends throughout my life. One of which stopped by and we were able to spend some brief time together. She is someone that I know I will be friends with forever; no matter what distance separates us.

I can talk to her everyday or I can go a week or more without talking to her. It doesn't matter. We always pick up exactly where we left off without thinking twice about it. We are completely real with each other and I love her dearly.

K - Thanks for being a great FRIEND in the midst of all of our chaos. Love you girl!!!!

Here's the gang:

Nighte, Emi, Northe

Graci, Payton, Dari, Nauxxe, Davi

Safely Home

We made it home safe and sound Sunday after a very long and exhausting trip. Shawn looked great and it was very special to be able to be there and watch his graduation. My wonderful inlaws kept the girls and Bryan went down to be with them on Saturday and Sunday. They were waiting patiently for me to get home. It was a good break to be away from them, but I was more than ready to hold all of them and squeeze them in my arms. Here are a few pics of Airman First Class Shawn Roberts - so proud of you boge!!!!

It's Not Dry Heat

I am in Texas for Shawn's graduation from Air Force Basic Training. He is going into the Guard and I am super proud of him. We got here late Wednesday night and have been through all the ceremonies and we will leave tomorrow to drive home. Thanks to those of you that have been praying for him and for the ones that wrote him while he was in. They meant the world to him!!!

As far as the heat, it is 97 and so humid you sweat just walking to the car. So whoever said it was dry heat out here, LIED!!!!

Pool Party

I am sooooo blessed to have such wonderful friends. Our pool party today was truly a great day! We had 16 kids and 9 adults I think and all in all, everyone stayed happy all day. You guys are the best and I hope that you had as much fun as I did.

The weather was beautiful until the last few minutes when the storm hit and we all heard a huge lightening strike. Pray that my mom and dad's insurance covers things. It hit the downstairs tv, phone and all of the pool filter and pump :( So sad!!! Other than that, my mom's house survived our clan!!

Thanks again for everyone coming and for just being my friend!

And Amy.... I know you say I don't like little gifts like you got me, but you obviously don't know me as well as you think. I LOVE my stuff!!! It truly made me smile. You are an amazing person and friend! Love you girl!!!