Elizabeth's 40th Birthday Invitation & Cake

Elizabeth's 40th Birthday Party Invitation & Cake

Noah Naked Bike Riding

Noah was outside helping us garden...covered in mulch & dirt. So, we took his clothes off outside just prior to going in the house to avoid bringing all the funk in. Noah ran to the garage and jumped on his bike, naked as the day is long. I laughed so hard. He got on his bike and said, "But I need my helmet!" Here is the end result...riding down the driveway naked...wearing a helmet. Gotta love his spirit!

Elizabeth's 40 & Fabulous Birthday Party

I gave Elizabeth a surprise 40th birthday party. She figured out the surprise part, and actually DIDN'T want to have it! Seriously?!? At this point, clearly, she didn't know I actually scrapbooked for her...and that I had to plan it while I was in Michigan, at night. That's a whole other story that I'll leave out lol. But long story short, the SURPRISE was that she actually had FUN! We had the greatest time. I made a Shutterfly book that had 40 things I loved about her. I included in the book pictures that her mom sent me from when she was a baby/growing up. I also had her mother and her kids make a list of 40 things they loved about her. We had bar-b-que outside, margaritas, and fabulous fun just with our close family/friends. The kids swam and Jackson was so wore out that he fell asleep on Elizabeth's father's shoulder outside. It was so cute. Everyone loves a sleeping baby. Perfect. Happy birthday to my 40 & Fabulous best girl, Elizabeth! Love you!

My Super Scrapbooking Skills...one time only!

For Elizabeth's 40th birthday party, I did something I just don't do...I scrapbooked. I LOVE that Elizabeth scrapbooks. I love how creative and beautiful all her scrapbooks turn out. I love that she now teaches other people to do this. But I DO NOT LIKE to scrapbook!!! I remember one day several years ago when I went to one of her scrapbook parties. She must have had $1,000 worth of scrapbooking supplies----Glue dots? What the hell is a glue dot?!? Eight, L-O-N-G hours later, after knashing my teeth to powder...I had a small Halloween scrapbook complete. When I say small, I mean SMALL! It was MAYBE the size of a 3x5 photo! I remember saying, "Eight hours of work and all I have is this stinking small thing?!?" Needless to say, it's not my thing. BUT....it is HER thing...So, for her party, I SCRAPBOOKED! I made 3 banners..two which were really big, in honor of Elizabeth's 40th! I printed, I cut, I USED GLUE DOTS & RIBBON! And I was in Michigan in hell until early this week, so I didn't even start this project until Thursday night at about 9:00 pm. That's how I roll...spontaneous. Needless to say, she was shocked when I showed her my mad scrapbooking skills. I even made cupcake toppers and stuff to decorate the candles and hang from the chandelier. Go Brenda with your bad scrappin' self. I always say that love is a verb. I was so trying to be the verb for my best girl. Happy 40th, friend. ONLY for you!

MY family fun in Frankenmuth

When I went to Michigan, I went for the purpose of helping to take care of Grandma Kreger. I only took a carry-on duffle bag to Michigan...and I don't even go to Dallas without at least 3 pair of shoes. When Grandma Kreger died, I had to change my flight to attend the funeral/visitation. I also had no clothes other than shorts and jeans, so my dad, Susan, my sisters, & I went to Frankenmuth, which is a wonderful little German tourist part of Michigan. I must say...the trip out with MY family was the highlight of the trip. We went to the best outlet mall I've EVER been to. I mean, I got $400 Coach bag for $100. Can you say CHA CHING!?! Anyway, as FABULOUS as outlet shopping is...and I must say, it's such a fabulous thing...it was nothing compared to spending time with my family. No kids. No distractions. Just us, reconnecting in a way we hadn't done in years. I believe that out of pain, hope and positive results can blossom. Such is the case with our hell Michigan trip. Yes, we found out that we have some SHADY relatives on my mother's side of the family. I won't go into it more now. I may write more when my emotions are not as raw as they continue to be today. I may write more for my boys later. I'm undecided for now. Either way, I can honestly say that A) I feel closer to my dad & sisters than ever before and B) I feel closer to Susan than ever before. As far as I'm concerned, she has permanently cemented herself as a member of our family. No "Step" word required. I find and assign the meaning to my life. Viktor Frankl would be so proud. Well, if he wasn't dead. And if he knew me.

Grandma Haworth

However awful our time in the state of Michigan was...I am grateful that we got to spend some time with my Grandma Haworth, my father's mother, while we were there. You can see that there's a long line of red hair in our family, starting with my Grandma Haworth, my dad, me, my sister susie, Noah. And Michael's paternal grandmother and great aunt had red hair, as well.

Love you, Grandma Haworth.

Grandma Kreger's House & Barn

Here are a few pictures I took of Grandma Kreger's house and barn. Lots of memories were made in this house. I remember when she had the silver bell put up. She'd ring the bell at dinnertime to "call" everyone in to eat. Special memories. I don't know when I'll be back, so I wanted to remember them as they stood before she died.