Magic Time Machine

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Magic Time Machine with these sweet friends to celebrate Tony's birthday.  Our family hadn't been there since Jessie was very little.  It was more fun than I expected and way more food than I needed.  We always enjoy these people and this day was no exception.  

There were lots of laughs to be had when you dine at a place like this!

My Sweet Friend

The Fortenberry's sit in front of the sweetest little family in church.  I have spent what seems like the better part of a year trying to befriend their cute little daughter.  We'll call her M.  M is shy and only smiles at me and says hi.  One day as we left church, she ran up and gave me a quick hug.  I call that a success.

One week, I thought Mom deserved a little break and I told her to send one of her cute littles our way.  She said that she had been threatening to do just that.  Just so we're clear, when you are at your wits end, I will never be your punishment.  I'm more of a friend.

I talked M into coming and sitting with us during Sacrament.  She sits so sweet and quietly.  She puts on all my jewelry and we draw or look at books.  She pretty much makes my Sunday.  One Sunday, she brought me a note that says, "Dear Sister Fortenberry."  I think M and I are on our way to becoming BFFs.

I Love My Boy

While Jonathan was away over the Christmas break, his grandparents bunked in his room.  He left his Christmas presents and his tuba strewn everywhere.  I was left to straighten it up.  While I was tidying up, I came across a tin box under his bed.  Scared out of my mind, I pulled the box out and found that Jonathan had written his name on it in sharpie.  I carefully opened the box-- not sure what I might find.  Much to my surprise, I found his stash of Christmas candy.  I'm not sure who he thought might take it, but he made sure to hide it!  I love my sweet boy.

Mountain Man Rendezvous

Jonathan had the opportunity to attend some sort of Mountain Man experience from December 29th through the 31st.  I can't even pretend to understand what it was all about.  Fred grew his beard out and went for one night.  I think they participated in activities that were reminiscent of the olden days.

Our friend, Tony, was nice enough to send me these pictures while they were away.  The climbing picture was accompanied with the message that read... "He was a little nervous going over the cliff."

I know that there was no running water, so he went three days without a shower.  THREE days.  I think they brought in port-a-potties for this thing, because-- well, no running water.  You can't even imagine how fast I washed his clothes.  He used his good UnderArmour IHS band duffel bag.  I Frebrezed it.

The best I can tell, Jonathan had a great time, and Fred was sad that he only went for one day.  Unfortunately, he just couldn't get off, because of the timing during the holidays.

We are so thankful for these experiences that both Fred and Jonathan have had over the last couple of years.

My Steven!

One of the best things about Christmas was getting to have lunch with Steven Parker!  You just don't even know how much I love Steven.  He is one of my oldest and dearest friends.  When I say oldest, I don't mean that he is literally old.  I mean that I've known him for a really long time.  I've known him for almost as long as I can remember.  He knows a lot of my secrets.  Too many.  Hopefully, his memory is fading.  We spent hours and hours on the phone when we were young.  I should probably send his dad an apology letter or send him a gift card or something.  

I remember that I was so homesick those first few weeks at UNT (yes, I am aware that I was only an hour and fifteen minutes away from home).  I was sad to leave my family and sad to leave Fred.  How thankful I was to have Steven there with me.  We had so much fun together.  1992 is still one of my favorite years!

Steven and I met for lunch at this cute little restaurant in Wylie.  It was in an old house.  How fun is that?   We talked and talked.  I could have sat there and talked all day.  I'm so glad that he made time for me while he was in town.  My dear friend lives in Colorado now, so we haven't seen each other in several years.  Mostly, we fill each other's Facebook walls with Steel Magnolias quotes and text occasionally.  My dream would be for him to move to Frisco and teach at IHS.  My ultimate dream would be for him to be my next door neighbor!

Steven, thank you for a great afternoon!  I love you and miss you, my dear friend.

F-R-A-M-I-L-Y

A couple of days before Christmas we gathered with these people that we love so much.  Jessie and I weren't able to make it to see the Star Wars movie, but the rest of this group went to see the movie and then we had dinner at Outback.  I was tickled pink, because you may or may not know that I can eat me some steak.  I think Jessie and Jaiden had macaroni and cheese, and Jonathan ordered a hamburger.  Yes, these children go to a steak restaurant to order food that they could just as well eat at their house.  I still claim them anyway.  

We then went back to the Palmers to play the candy game.  I didn't even understand what the candy game was.  Now, I know.  It is Fred's new favorite game.  We have so much candy at our house, because Fred introduced the candy game to my family.  I think you should only play the candy game ONE time per Christmas season.  Seriously!  It's kind of like a White Elephant candy game on steroids.  The Fortenberrys came home with 11 different types of full size candies.  Crazy!

We are so thankful for the Palmers and Moffitts and their sweet friendship.  We enjoyed celebrating and having fun with them.  We love them and we are thankful that they are our "framily!"

And, He's 16!

Happy Birthday to our favorite boy!  I can't believe that he is 16.  Time has flown by... it is not fair.

We are so proud of this young man.  We love him so very much.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Christmas morning, we had the kids open their presents and their stockings.  Just when they thought they were through, we sent them all around the house looking for clues to their last gift.  It was only money, because Santa had absolutely no idea what to get these children for Christmas.  Last year, they had big gifts that they wanted.  This year, Santa ran out of time and ideas.  There were no requests from the little children, so Santa thought they might enjoy a little green for their wallet.  However, we made them work very hard for it.  Jessie was quick to figure out her clues and was running all over the house.  Jonathan let her know that it isn't a race and it doesn't matter who gets there last.  We laughed and told him that is what all the people who are in last place say.  In the end, they had fun and enjoyed hunting for their gift.

Christmas Morning

Historically, I struggle with keeping my blog updated during December and January is overwhelming to me.  Posting during the busy holidays is next to impossible and then there is the thought of trying to give a Christmas update!  I think I might just hit the highlights.  Or, I might just post pictures without much commentary and let you use your imagination.  We'll just see where the posts take me...

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home with just our little family this year.  It was a busy week and a a half.  We were running everywhere and enjoying so many people that we love.  I was thankful that we were able to just enjoy our family on that special day.

 

Fred grew his beard out for the Mountain Man Rendezvous that he and Jonathan went on right before the new year.  

Sweet Mollie loves being the center of attention.

Our holidays were crazy, so Jessie decorated my tree for me! Thank goodness or it might not have gotten decorated.

We had a busy, but wonderful Christmas.  December just about did me in, but it was worth it.

Secret Santa Shenanigans

I can't even tell  you how much I love the week of Secret Santa at work.

I pulled the name of the office geek and had so much fun putting his gifts together.  I had help from another geek who had great ideas and I think everything was perfect.  I wish I had taken pictures.  He received Star Wars Duck Tape, a Captain America key chain, a Star Fleet decal, and an Agents of S.H,I.E.L,D,S. patch.  And, the best one of all, Spock socks with ears that stuck out.  They were so amazing.  He has already worn them and he actually had a Star Trek shirt that matched them.

My Secret Santa was Ben.  His wife, Jen, helped him put his goodies together and they did an amazing job!  I can't even tell you.  

On Monday, I received an entire bag of Almond Joys!

There was a questionnaire that asked if you would like one big gift or smaller gifts throughout the week.  I said that I wanted to be surprised.  So, Ben, waited until Thursday and made a big drop. I received all of my favorites -- Mint M&M's (I love these so much), note cards, gel pens, cute socks and a mug.

On Friday, we had our big reveal.  I received a gift card to Chick-fil-a!  Ben's wife, Jennifer, knows how much I love Chick-fil-a!  I eat there so often that they know my order by heart.  (6 count kids meal with a bottled water and BBQ sauce.)

Secret Santa week is the best!  I love playing Secret Santa and I love the sweet gifts that my Secret Santa left behind.

2nd Annual YW Christmas Dinner

So, when you do something two years in a row it becomes an annual thing, right?  

I absolutely love our annual Progressive dinner with the Young Women.  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing they are. It is always such a great night to have a little fun, remember our Savior and spend time with one another.

Our leaders are so wonderful, too.  Each and every one of the them love the girls with their whole heart.  I can't even tell you how many blessings have come to me from serving these beautiful Young Women and with these beautiful Young Women leaders.

Tacky Sweater!

Friday was one my most favorite days of the year-- Tacky Sweater Day!  It was said that I looked like the mom from Home Alone.  It seems like you can almost hear me yelling, "Kevin!!"

And, Then My Life Changed

Over Thanksgiving, I was digging around in my unorganized tub of pictures looking for something super specific when I found this picture from a company party.  It was taken on August 10, 1996.  The night before Jessie was born.  I was so excited.  I went running in to show Jessie.  I was yelling at her, "Look at this picture.  It was taken the night before you were born.  Do you hear me? THE night before you were born.  Look at it!"

She was kind of puzzled and let me know that she didn't understand what she was looking at.  Of course she didn't.  She is nineteen years old.

I feel like this picture represents my life as I knew it.  All normal and carefree.  Then, the next morning, I woke up and out of nowhere, my life changed forever!  Okay, it wasn't out of nowhere, but it was earlier than expected.

Then, I found this picture and it kind of makes me laugh.  Most people look at their newborns with that new mother glow.  Boy, I did love her and I was so happy to be a new mom  But, this was one stubborn baby.  She was six days old in this picture and I didn't feel like we were ever coming home from the hospital.  I think I was staring her right in the eyes and trying to will her to take that bottle.  Trust me, that approach didn't work then and it doesn't work now.

Before August 10, 1996, life was fun.  It was filled with hanging out with friends.  We went wherever we wanted whenever we wanted.  We played in the lake on the weekends and went to every movie that was ever made.  I used to see a lot of movies.  We used to just hang out.  Doing nothing sometimes.  Or maybe we went out to eat.  There was a time when I knew each of my friends' usual orders at all of our favorite restaurants.  Life was easy.  We didn't have anyone to answer to.

I wouldn't change a thing, though!  I'm so glad that I woke up on August 11, 1996 and had my life changed forever.  Those little people (that aren't so little anymore) have added lots of love, laughter and happiness into our lives.

2014 Memories - Christmas at MaMaw and Grady's House

Last year, we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on December 27th.  We had so much fun that I hardly took any pictures at all.  Here are a few of the pictures that I took, but seriously, I didn't take a bunch!

Cute Cousins!  Jessie, Lainey (my brother's daughter) and Logan (my cousin's son)

Logan entertaining Lucy and Sue

A thumbs up from Jessie

Lainey checking out Jonathan's new game

A Look Back at Christmas Morning 2014

Last November, I posted my 30 Days of Gratitude and then I started a recap of Thanksgiving.  After that, I took about a 4 month sabbatical from my blog.  I can't even give you a good reason.  Mostly, I got behind and felt overwhelmed.  I never recapped Christmas.

So, I'm going to start December off with a few pictures from Christmas morning at our house last year.

The stockings were hung with care.  We had a couple of extra stockings (that you can't see) for Grandma and PawPaw Larry.

Here is our modest little tree.  There were more presents tucked around the corner.

One of our favorite ornaments

A house divided.  Most of us are dog people.  And, then there is Jessie.  She is cat people.  

We enjoyed having Grandma and PawPaw Larry spend Christmas with us last year.  We had such a nice Christmas.  We tried to make it a very memorable and special Christmas for them.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 30

I am so thankful for this beautiful time of the year and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas.  I am thankful for the time that we take to celebrate our Savior's birth. I am also thankful for this time when people are a little bit kinder to one another.  

"Christmas, my child, is love in action.  Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."

-Dale Evans

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 29

Ordinary, simple, everyday life is all the more beautiful because of the people God has placed in our path. - Sophie Hudson

These are my people and I love them!  Friends are the family that you choose, and these friends are so perfect for us. I thank my Heavenly Father for them each and every single day.

I hope you enjoy some of the older pictures, because I just couldn't resist!

Jonathan and Ally - they are both 15 so they've known each other since the day Ally was born (she is a few months younger)

Ally and Jessie - love these girls!

Madison - I always say that she is the life of the party!

These kids are all related except for my two, but they've always made them feel like family

The Garstka's - Dave and Fred were great friends before I even came into the picture.  And, then we all met Angel!

The Millers - Dave's sister, Debi, her husband, John and their two girls Laura and Katy (Katy's not pictured-- although she is in the bowling picture above)

The DiSpignos - Dave's childhood best friend, Abie, moved to town after graduating college.  Of course, we adored him and so did the kids.  He left the area when Jessie was in elementary school and moved back to Chicago.  You don't even know how happy we were when he moved back several years ago.  He also brought us Stacey.  They are now married and have Isabella.

I am so thankful that Fred and Dave met and set the course for all of these beautiful, sweet friendships.

The Palmers - we met Tony and Kelly at church and we are so very thankful for their friendship.  They have been so good to us.  I always give Tony lots of credit for helping Fred find his way back to church and for that reason these two will always have a special place in my heart.

Jessie, Jonathan, Corbin, Conner, Fred, Tony

Corbin and Conner belong to Tony and Kelly

The Moffitts - We also met Rod, Ruth and their daughter, Jaiden at church (not pictured are Emmi and Jaxon). First of all I could just eat Jaiden up with a spoon.  I love her and her family so much.  They are all pretty darn amazing.

We love hanging out with the Palmers and the Moffitts.  We couldn't ask for better friends.

Some people make your laugh a little louder, your smile a little brighter, and your life a little better.

P.S. Jonathan looked at this post and I asked him if I missed anyone.  He told me that I missed the "family of the family."  That would be Dave's parents, Angel's parents, her sister and brother-in-law and their kids.  And, he is SO, right.  We have such great people in our lives.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 28

I am thankful for the amazing female friendships that I have in my life.  Each one is so sweet and important to me.

"True friendship is like the asphalt of life, it fills the potholes, and makes the journey smooth."

-Richard G. Scott

Ruth and I with sweet Nicole

Here is Kelly and Ruth.  (I didn't have a picture of Kelly, so I high-jacked her Facebook and then cropped people out of the pic-- I'm sorry for cropping those sweet faces out of the pic!)  I truly love these two beautiful women.  They teach me how to be a better wife, mom, leader and daughter of God.  They are Christlike women that I look up to.  I am thankful for their influence in my life.  I love them so very much.  Those two BFFs have a beautiful, sweet friendship that is very rare.  I am thankful that they let me in their little circle.  They bless my life and they are so very precious to me.

This is Cara or Yeates as I sometimes like to call her.  My heart just bursts with love for her.  When I first started serving in Young Women's with her, I thought to myself, "where has she been all my life?"  Then I realized, she's been just around the corner from me.  She literally lives just around the corner from me and I've missed out on her greatness, because I thought she was too hip to hang out with me.  She is funny, tender and sweet all at the same time.  Mostly, I appreciate how funny she is.  I love funny people.  I also appreciate that she appreciates my kids.  Those people have a special place in my heart.

Yeates sporting Wildberry (her pet name for me) on her Temple Walk shirt.

 My crazy, sweet co-workers.  I need a picture of Lisa Galvan, because she is just one of the best co-workers, ever.  I love her dearly.

Sarah, Lynn and I at Vision Expo last year.  I have the best co-workers.

 These are the Young Women Leaders that I serve with.  I love every single one of them and I feel so blessed to serve our Young Women with them.

  

Last, but certainly not least, I have known Heather, Angela, Tanya and Gracie for a very long time.  Our dear friend Abie brought Stacey (shown below) into our lives kind of recently.  I have so much fun with these ladies.  Every single time I'm with them, I laugh until I cry.  I do things that are absolutely insane.  We always make sweet and funny memories together.  It all started when two college buddies named Fred and Dave walked into a miniature golf place called Mountasia.  They decided to fill out an application.  They met two employees that happened to be best friends-- Angel and Gracie.  It took a little while, but eventually Dave and Angel married. All of these ladies were on a soccer team together when they were little called the Blue Birds.  I belonged to Fred.

Of course, there is also sweet Debi (Dave's sister).  Love her to pieces!  You really need a family tree or a road map to follow along.  But, these are my people and Heavenly Father put these people in my path when I was just a young woman to help make me a better person.