My friends....Thank you!

Officially, the party is over. The great my hubs if 50 party!  And boy was it a party!  Of course many of you know that the planning for this party began months ago and understand that I have an over abundant need to have every little detail perfect which can drive anyone batty! Ok, Ok, Ok, I admit I am OVERLY OCD to the point of pure madness! 

Even with this acute illness which would drive most people screaming into the night I still do not understand why I have 3 FABULOUS friends who put up with me and are always at my side with every major event I load onto myself.

Through thick and thin they are always there doing whatever it takes to make it through.  Whether it's bringing/making food, decorating, watching my kids or whatever they are there! The last year or so of my life I have grown closer and closer to these ladies and honestly I can hardly mention them without feeling all icky mushy inside.

I was extra blessed for this party though because I had two extra hands, Toni and Cheryl on deck to assist me in my craziness! If only they lived closer they could be a permanent part of our crazy group!

Back Row L to R: Nancy, Malissa, Cheryl

Front Row L to R: Toni, Janet, Wendy

Surfside Beach Bash

Surfside Beach... just the name brings back so many fond memories.  Some from my own childhood and even more from recent years with my own children.

 It always takes a bit to get me out to the beach.  I usually procrastinate with any excuse I can trying to avoid the inevitable sand penetrating every possible exposed piece of skin. As an adult I have always hated digging in the sand, sitting in the sand and now that I am older I can't stop the rush of panic thoughts in my head regarding exactly what is lurking in the water.  Top all of that off with the thought of sunburns, windburns, sandy wet swimsuits, towels and the pounds of sand laying in the floorboard of the car it's no wonder why I hate the beach.  It used to be so very easy to simply be the kid and have fun.  There was always someone to take care of the aftermath left from a visit to the beach, but now I am the grownup.  I am the one that must deal with the mess.  

Knowing all of this one may ask if I feel so strongly about a visit to the beach then why do I continue year after year to punish myself in such a manner.  The answer is simple.  Once I get to the beach and everything is set up the negativity seems to drain from my body.  It's as if the constant motion of the water crashing to shore grabs my sourness and pulls it back out to the unknown.  With each wave my body begins to relax and a sort of calmness that can't be described by words alone washes through my veins.

I begin to watch the kids laughing and running along the shoreline.  Overhead the seagulls begin laughing at me as if to say you know you like it here!  Pelicans fly past the horizon in formation occasionally taking a quick dive to capture an unsuspecting fish.  I draw a deep breath and all is good in the universe once more because after all another good memory will be created for all to look back on.

With so many people coming in from out of town to experience and share in  Nay Nay's recent accomplishment of her high school graduation I wanted the weekend to end on a good note and therefore the idea of a beach bash was born.  

That particular day the beach was actually quite crowded but we were all able to stake a claim to a small portion of the shoreline and quickly began to set up.  Please don't look to hard because the picture will look more like a mini van convention rather than a trip to the beach!

Throughout the day sand castles were built, waves rolled in and friends enjoyed each others company. 

                                                      

At one point or another everyone had a smile on their face giving a clear indication that the beach was definitely the perfect choice for a good time.

 

At the end of the day all was assured with a small message scrawled in the sand.  

I bent over to read it and knew that yes, it was another good memory at Surfside Beach!

Summer Fun at Canyon Lake

As I sit here thinking about the pool outside and the fact that summer is officially here I am smiling.  Here it is barely a few days into summer and already we have had some awesome fun.  

A few weeks back  the 3 younger kids and I joined our friends, the Dunn family, to spend a day relaxing at Canyon Lake.  This was really my first visit to the lake and I fell in love with it!  

The kids immediately took off on kayaks loaned to us. While some of the adults were cautious of the kids being out on the water my kid's scout experience kicked into overdrive.   

Chris quickly fell into the role of kayak instructor for the younger kids.

Our friend Mark Dunn had brought out his boat which was a huge hit!
Of course Mark is always Mr. Cool!

He even let Megan Beth take a turn at driving the boat! 

I also met two amazing young ladies, one of which is an outstanding photographer.  The girls and I agreed to be her subjects for her photos.  These are just a few that she took. 

All in all the entire day was filled with friends

food, fun

 

and games for the kids!

It was a great day and many new friends were made!

The Graduation Luncheon

If you know me at all then you realize that I am bubbling over with pride that my oldest recently graduated from high school.  For the last 2 months anyone blessed (or cursed) to be within arm's length of me have been required to view the graduation pictures that I sleep with, I mean carry proudly in my wallet.

Last Saturday friends and family gathered from all across Texas to attend a special graduation luncheon held in her honor.  Of course Ashley Renee had to be fashionably late as she still has to make a grand entrance but she was soon brought to tears with a special video made by our dear family friend Bill Robertson.  The video was a caption of her life from birth to graduation highlighting pictures of Ashley Renee and those people throughout her life that had in one way or another played an important role.


To everyone that attended and sent well wishes thank you for helping make this a wonderful memory!

Below are a few pictures from the luncheon we hope you will enjoy!

 Paw Paw, Ashley Renee and Maw Maw (Aubrey far right)

 Julanne, Ashley Renee and Laura

(Ashley Renee and Laura have been friends since the 5th grade!)

Megan helps Ashley read her cards 

A beautiful graduation necklace given to Ashley

Quite possibly the best part of the entire luncheon: THE CAKE!