Friday Five Faves - vol. 12

This is a record Friday Five Fave post. I have actually had time to scrapbook. Let's have a moment of praise together.

I didn't realize how much I needed it. Apparently I have a need, a deep seeded need to create.

Coming in at numero uno are two cards that I have helped me feel semi-normal this week. They are both for a dear friend of mine that I get to see this weekend. Steph is expecting her first child, a daughter to be named Finley. We're going to her baby shower this weekend.

Because Steph's birthday was on September 14th, I also created a birthday card.

2) Portable DVD players. The road trip will be just the ladies: me, Zoe and my mom. It's about a 2-2.5 hour drive to Hermiston. I am fortunate enough to know that whole 120-150 minutes will be full of Tigger and Pooh, The Little People and Handy Manny coming from the backseat.

Believe you me, I'd rather have 2 hours of Tigger bouncing around 100 acres than all the crying, whining and gnashing of teeth.

That's just from my mom.

3) At home oil changes. Don't think for one second that I had anything to do with that. Granted I do drive the car all those miles, but I don't do dirty. N does dirty. He got under the car and changed my oil. In our garage. I don't have to go to the creepy oil changing place anymore and get hassled into fancy performance oil and a top-of-the-line, never needs to be replaced air filter.

That is romance my friends.

4) Slow cooker mixes from McCormicks. They make 4 of them: stew, pot roast, italian chicken and BBQ pulled pork. Our two favorites are the pork and chicken. It's heaven in a pot. Not to mention you put it on before you leave for work and come home to dinner. Not to mention a house full of happy, smelling goodness.

I think these are going to help my sanity.

5) My final top 5 is a fun website that I found this week. It's called Yearbook Yourself. It's a great for a laugh. Check out my creations. I think 1972 was a good year for me.

1968
1972

Happy Friday all. Enjoy the yearbook!

Ms. Zoe's Opus

Zoe loves pens, pencils and crayons. I'm sure if we let her have a marker, she'd love that too. Her grandma's house has a few new pieces of wall art.

I chose to learn from Zoe's gracious art giving. I took the ink out of a pen and let her run wild with it.

This week she was obviously conducting her orchestra.

Then writing her opus.

The Angels

About a month ago Grammie and Grandpa sent California Angels attire for all the grandkids. The hope was to take a picture of Grandpa and his angels.

With the addition of N, we got the shot. D & E are ready to be bat girls. Micah is ready to be bat boy. Zoe, she's the cheerleader. Can you tell what's she's yelling here?

Good things come in threes

Three years ago today I woke up a single lady and went to bed a married woman. It was the best day of my life.

N, you have walked by my side these last three years through military trials, learning to live with each other, two moves and the house that just won't sell.

You kissed my cheek as they whisked me off to an emergency c-section. You paced the halls alone in prayer as you learned my situation was near fatal. You held my hand in the darkness of the ICU as I lay on a ventilator. You held Zoe's hand as she lay on a ventilator. You assured me she was okay. You arranged for me to be the first person to hold her. You walked the halls with me to the NICU to see her day in and day out.

You work extra to support our family. You run out of the house at 6:30 in the morning when I've forgotten to put the trash out. You let me win at the Wii. You straighten up the house before company comes over because you know if you didn't I would be stressed out.

You love me inspite of all my quirks.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. It's been great so far. I'm so blessed that I get to walk this life with you as your best friend. You are the answer to all my prayers. Thank you for being a spiritual leader, encourager, excellent father, and my love.

I love you heaps and hords.

Verklempt

I've been friends with Amber since we were 5. Our friendship has crossed the line of friend into family.

Amber is many things: genuine friend, baker extraordinare, has the memory of an elephant. The one quality that makes me totally go speechless is her artistic ability. This girl can create. I'm always amazed at how she can take a blank canvas and turn it into something beautiful.

Imagine my excitement and honor when she offered me this:

Isn't it beautiful? She drew it. Without a pattern! I'm beyond honored that she would offer this piece to me. I'm not lying when I say I was verklempt and a little teary.

I cannot wait to hang it in my home.

Thank you Am. It means so much that you would be willing to share your art with me.

This is her Everest

I was doing laundry this morning. Zoe was quiet, but Mickey Mouse was on so I didn't think too much of it.

Then I saw this.

Five Friday Faves - vol. 11 - The Birthday Edition

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. Granted I love having all four season. At the start of everyone I declare that it's my favorite.

Although, while I like longer days and sunshine, summer isn't my favorite because of the heat. I actually think I look forward to autumn more than any other season because it means jeans and sweatshirts (and college football). I'm all about the layered, yet comfortable look.

It also starts the biggest birthday month on my calendar. In September, I have at least one birthday every week. There are 9 birthdays in September (we know what A LOT of people were doing for Christmas and New Years) and our anniversary. Or you can read that as, 10 presents in September. Which I love because I love finding the perfect, knock-their-socks-off gift.

Not only is giving presents totally fun, you get to spend time with the birthday person. That's actually my favorite part. Sometimes in the busy part of life, you either don't have or don't make enough time to spend with those people.

I thought, in honor of all the birthdays, I would do a top 5 x 2 - 1 (I like throwing in math equations once and awhile) to mention my favorite things about all the birthday people.

1) Becca - She is the sweetest, most sincere girl you'll ever meet. She's someone who makes you feel like you've known her forever. She accepts you just as you are. I'm truly honored to be her friend (and now neighbor).

2) Aunt Dee Dee - She is a true example of faith. Not to mention sarcastic and down-right hilarious. Two things I value in my friends and family. I'm so glad we got to celebrate her birthday early, in person.

3) Piper - She's sweet, charming and all girl. I can't believe she's already starting school this year. She's growing up so fast.

4) Kendall - He makes my best friend Steph happy. He's given her a peace and contentment that I've wished for her. He's going to make a great dad to Findley. Now if someone in the greater Portland area would hire him, I could spend more time visiting with him & Steph. Anyone got any leads?

5) Steph - She's one of the few people I can let my crazy side out with and know she'll accept me for me. She introduced me to The Beatles and how to enjoy life, one moment at a time. I can't wait to see her on the 20th.

6) Staci - We've known each other since childhood. I'm so glad we've reconnected. She is wise, kind and knows how to connect with anyone we may have gone to school with since kindergarten. I'm so glad I get to spend time with her once a month. If we hadn't moved away, we'd probably never have lost touch.

7) T-Dog - My only nephew to smile at me the very first time I held him. I think he was tooting on me and he hasn't stopped laughing about that since. He is genuine, thoughtful and incredibly brave. Plus, he can tell a joke like no one else. Whatta blessing he is.

8) Linette - She is like a friend I've known my whole life and she brings out my youthful side. She's witty, a good mother, fearless and left-handed. Not to mention, she has great hair. I could learn a few things from her.

9) Chris - He can play drums like nobody's business. Most importantly, I love watching him with his new son. He's a fabulous father, husband and brother-in-law. I'm so glad he's part of our family.

Happy birthday fellow September babies. This is the best month for a birthday. Or anniversay.

Or college football. If you're not the Cougs.

Maybe they'll lessen the margin against Baylor. Afterall, they'll have Ike as a tailwind.