Birthday Bash for the Big One - Homecoming for the Nutmeg

Well it was quite the event-filled weekend in our house.   Kelsie came home for Fall break and brought friends with her.  We enjoyed birthday festivities and some nice family time.  Homecoming weekend at our high school added more activity and special events.  We had favorite meals and snacks and worshiped together on Sunday.  It was an enjoyable family weekend.

Friday was a beautiful day to be outside.  We took advantage of it with a walk around the lake.

  

We began our birthday bash on Friday night.

BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

 
We treated the kids and their friends to the Stanford Grill.
It's a lovely restaurant with great atmosphere.
 

 

Live jazz music and a patio with seating area in front of the fire can't be beat.

 

It's a sushi poke, of course.

 

Saturday was Homecoming Day and Birthday Day!  I enjoyed some quiet time at home preparing fun foods and tidying up (it makes me happy) while the gang went to the game.
 

After another round of cake and singing, present time is always fun!

Mason's card with chocolate cake and rainbow sprinkles.

   
 













      
Then suddenly it was time to get the girlie
dressed for her big dance.


 

Standard pose for these sisters.

Megs loves to pose and J was a good sport and had fun with it!!

Daddy took the "adults" out later. So, again I found myself with a quiet house, 6 year old tucked into bed and movie of my choice. Ahhh, the simple joys of life.

21!

Favorite Foto Friday

Last week we had a mid-week day off and no plans.  Michael suggested a quiet breakfast out and then drove me to the airport loop which is a great, scenic path.  It was beautiful as the trees were just beginning to turn.  It was loud as the planes were taking off and flying just over our heads every 2-3 minutes.

 During our few uninterrupted hours over breakfast and strolling, we got all of the surface stuff talked out, then discussed some sports and politics and then took some time to talk about more difficult subjects.  The ones that sometimes hang there and create "thorns" we don't have time to address because we're busy living life and driving kids and not scheduling together time.  We spoke honestly and it was good, not easy but good.

As a little girl, I always dreamed that marriage would be blissfully happy days spent with the one you love, one after the other with romance, and roses and sweet love songs in the background.  NOT!!!  Marriage is HARD WORK.  Well worth the effort I must say.  But hard, none the less.  It has to be nurtured and watered and sprinkled with thoughtful planning, careful words and rocky tough times that provide endurance for the long haul.  I find that a Christ-centered marriage makes those tough times a little more manageable and provides a common focus and end-goal.

Recently our pastor encouraged those married in our church family to work hard to deepen our marriage relationships to guard from the pain of divorce.   To delight in and care for the one we are married to.  To love and live for one another is the way God intended.

So today I purposely celebrate my husband.   I am thankful for someone who loves me and loves the Lord and isn't afraid to work hard at this marriage thing.  Love ya babe!