Numero Uno
Before writing my last post I should have discussed my struggles last week with my husband, but I did not. RC - I am very sorry. Everyone else - Practice more patience than I did before sharing personal struggles on very public spaces.
Lesson learned.
Numero Dos
I'm impressing you with my Spanish, aren't I? Let me impress you some more: I can actually recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish as well. Learned how in 3rd grade and have never forgotten. Doesn't really come in handy seeing as how it is the AMERICAN Pledge of Allegiance in SPANISH, though, next time you see me ask me to recite it for you and I totally will. And, no, this wasn't number two.
Numero Dos (for real this time)
I wasn't 100% clear in my last post, and, after having it brought to my attention, I feel I need to be. The truth is that God has called us to leave, what we call for sake of conversational clarity, the 'institutional church', not Altus Christian Fellowship. After several years of seeking God in this, we are finally walking the path of no administration, salaries, top-down hierachies, clergy/laity, and buisiness-like churches.
We love all of God's people no matter how they feel about these things. God has just released us from having to love Him within them. And it is amazingly freeing.
Bridget
*I just spell checked and numero kept being highlighted so I googled it and found out that without a little ' above the u it is actually Italian. So I can speak Spanish AND Italian!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
This post might get long. Or it might not. Who knows? We'll see.
Last week was spring break and last weekend was Hub's and my 11th anniversary.
The kids and I spent the first part of spring break in Chicken Town with Nana. Nice change of scenery. Then we doled the kids out to the grandparents and Hubs and I spent the weekend at Quartz Mountain Resort. It was beautiful and relaxing and we enjoyed every minute of it.
And I came home planning on posting the beautiful pictures we took on top of Twin Peaks.
Obviously, that hasn't happened.
Partly due to pms and partly due to finally hitting the wall that I was running toward.
The first part of '09 has brought major change to our family. RC started working part time at the radio station. God has opened the door for another part time job for RC that he is really enjoying, we got our tax return, and we have family that continues to selflessly help us. But this extended season of financial hardship has been trying. When RC took the job at the radio station we thought '09 would bring a very different type of change financially. Our level of trusting God concerning our finances is deepening, though it's not a pleasant process. And our mindset materially is also changing. We can honestly say, "Thank You, God, for these changes in us."
The other major change concerns our involvement in Altus Christian Fellowship. God has called us to follow Him apart from ACF. What makes this change so hard is that some friends don't understand and there are some friends that we only saw at ACF. The relationships that are severing are painful, and the relationships that are being lost are sad.
Our decision to disconnect from ACF is based solely on what we believe God is telling us to do and what we believe Scripture says about being the Church. It has nothing to do with people or a person or any 'incident'. We still love all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ at ACF. And we still believe that God is doing great things there.
However, making the extra effort to connect with our friends from ACF is hard right now because we aren't yet sure how those relationships are going to go. If we will still be received or if we won't. It is very stressful. And the unfortunate part is that most of it is a battle in our minds. It is hard not to determine beforehand how we think people are going to respond. It is also hard to open ourselves up to the possibility of being misunderstood, disagreed with, or even rejected.
The one thing I kept hearing in my spirit when we finally received the confirming word that it was time to go in a different direction was "Are you going to please God or man?" Right now pleasing God is costing us, but in the long run pleasing man would cost us so much more.
So, about that wall.
Since the beginning of '09 I have gained 6 lbs. Unfortunately, that's how I tend to handle stress. And while we were in our routine it was easy to ignore. But the welcomed changes of stepping out of our routine that came with spring break ended up bringing me unknowingly close to my wall. And this week I crashed into it.
It was no doubt made more obvious by the fact that I was also dealing with pms, but I believe that to be completely God's plan. Had I not crashed this hard I would have continued to just manage. And that is not God's best for us. Stress is inevitable. Change is too. And following God successfully through it doesn't mean that we are completely unfazed by it and go along all nonchalant and happy. Jesus sweat blood before He went to the cross. Following God successfully means we have a deep knowing in our spirits that we will be victorious despite our present circumstances because Jesus has already won the battle.
And we don't have to fall back into old and destructive habits because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-38)
So, instead of going to food for comfort or release during this season of stress, I will once again start going to Jesus. And one of the best ways to focus on Jesus is to plaster our minds with Scripture, so during the month of April the kids and I will be memorizing Psalm 112. It is 10 verses long. Verse 7 says: They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. Another translation says: they do not fear bad news for it is settled in their minds that Jehovah will take care of them.
Things are hard right now but through these trials it is becoming more and more settled in my mind that Jehovah will take care of us. And that confidence is priceless because OUR GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!
Bridget
The kids and I spent the first part of spring break in Chicken Town with Nana. Nice change of scenery. Then we doled the kids out to the grandparents and Hubs and I spent the weekend at Quartz Mountain Resort. It was beautiful and relaxing and we enjoyed every minute of it.
And I came home planning on posting the beautiful pictures we took on top of Twin Peaks.
Obviously, that hasn't happened.
Partly due to pms and partly due to finally hitting the wall that I was running toward.
The first part of '09 has brought major change to our family. RC started working part time at the radio station. God has opened the door for another part time job for RC that he is really enjoying, we got our tax return, and we have family that continues to selflessly help us. But this extended season of financial hardship has been trying. When RC took the job at the radio station we thought '09 would bring a very different type of change financially. Our level of trusting God concerning our finances is deepening, though it's not a pleasant process. And our mindset materially is also changing. We can honestly say, "Thank You, God, for these changes in us."
The other major change concerns our involvement in Altus Christian Fellowship. God has called us to follow Him apart from ACF. What makes this change so hard is that some friends don't understand and there are some friends that we only saw at ACF. The relationships that are severing are painful, and the relationships that are being lost are sad.
Our decision to disconnect from ACF is based solely on what we believe God is telling us to do and what we believe Scripture says about being the Church. It has nothing to do with people or a person or any 'incident'. We still love all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ at ACF. And we still believe that God is doing great things there.
However, making the extra effort to connect with our friends from ACF is hard right now because we aren't yet sure how those relationships are going to go. If we will still be received or if we won't. It is very stressful. And the unfortunate part is that most of it is a battle in our minds. It is hard not to determine beforehand how we think people are going to respond. It is also hard to open ourselves up to the possibility of being misunderstood, disagreed with, or even rejected.
The one thing I kept hearing in my spirit when we finally received the confirming word that it was time to go in a different direction was "Are you going to please God or man?" Right now pleasing God is costing us, but in the long run pleasing man would cost us so much more.
So, about that wall.
Since the beginning of '09 I have gained 6 lbs. Unfortunately, that's how I tend to handle stress. And while we were in our routine it was easy to ignore. But the welcomed changes of stepping out of our routine that came with spring break ended up bringing me unknowingly close to my wall. And this week I crashed into it.
It was no doubt made more obvious by the fact that I was also dealing with pms, but I believe that to be completely God's plan. Had I not crashed this hard I would have continued to just manage. And that is not God's best for us. Stress is inevitable. Change is too. And following God successfully through it doesn't mean that we are completely unfazed by it and go along all nonchalant and happy. Jesus sweat blood before He went to the cross. Following God successfully means we have a deep knowing in our spirits that we will be victorious despite our present circumstances because Jesus has already won the battle.
And we don't have to fall back into old and destructive habits because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-38)
So, instead of going to food for comfort or release during this season of stress, I will once again start going to Jesus. And one of the best ways to focus on Jesus is to plaster our minds with Scripture, so during the month of April the kids and I will be memorizing Psalm 112. It is 10 verses long. Verse 7 says: They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. Another translation says: they do not fear bad news for it is settled in their minds that Jehovah will take care of them.
Things are hard right now but through these trials it is becoming more and more settled in my mind that Jehovah will take care of us. And that confidence is priceless because OUR GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!
Bridget
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Let's Continue to Grow
I caught an episode of 18 Kids and Counting yesterday and something stuck out to me that I've been thinking about today. Here's what I got:
Mr. and Mrs. Dugger (dad and mom to 18 biological kids) were traveling from their home in Arkansas to New York City to appear on The View. They took two older daughters and the new baby with them while the rest of the crew stayed home with Grandma. The at home crew got to get the t.v.s out of the closet and set them up with the rabbit ears to watch mom and dad on The View. (Honestly, I become more attached to the idea of life without t.v. everyday. It's just so hard to say goodbye)
As the kids are gathered around the t.v. a commercial comes on that has women dressed immodestly. One of the sisters (around 10 yrs old) immediately raises her hand to the t.v. and covers the screen. When asked why she did this, she says she does it because it is wrong to dress like that and to help her brothers not look. You can tell that all she understands is that it is not good for her brothers to look at girls dressed like that or for girls to dress like that. Right now, she obeys without complete understanding.
I'm so very glad she does. But some day, hopefully, she will fully understand why it is important to dress modestly and to help her brothers (biologically and in Christ) not be tempted to lust or dishonor one of God's creatures. If she never grows into that fuller understanding she will miss out on knowing God more.
But there are also times when we do things because it is what we were taught and we never move into that place of greater understanding, and in that we end up doing things unnecessary or incorrect. I'm thinking of the story of the new bride cooking her first roast. As she cuts off the ends of the roast before putting it in the pan her husband asks her why she does that. She replies, "Because that's how my mother does it."
Curious, now as to why her mother does it, she calls mom and asks. Mom's reply is, "Because that's how my mother did it."
Now, they are both curious so they call Grandma and ask her. Grandma responds, "Because my pan was never big enough for the whole roast."
Mom and daughter had continued cutting the ends of the roast off and missing out on perfectly good meat simply because they did it the way it had been done before them without ever moving into that fuller understanding of why it was done that way.
This was me for many years when it came to my relationship with Christ. I did what I was told to do in some cases and what it appeared most everyone was doing in others. But I can gladly say that I'm trying to continue growing into the fuller understanding God desires for us. He doesn't want us to drink milk our whole lives. He wants us to feast on His meat too.
Some of the things I was taught or copied are good things that I'm understanding more and more. And some of the things are unnecessary and need to be released. I'm letting go.
Let's continue to grow.
Bridget
You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, and who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Hebrews 5:12 - 6:1
Mr. and Mrs. Dugger (dad and mom to 18 biological kids) were traveling from their home in Arkansas to New York City to appear on The View. They took two older daughters and the new baby with them while the rest of the crew stayed home with Grandma. The at home crew got to get the t.v.s out of the closet and set them up with the rabbit ears to watch mom and dad on The View. (Honestly, I become more attached to the idea of life without t.v. everyday. It's just so hard to say goodbye)
As the kids are gathered around the t.v. a commercial comes on that has women dressed immodestly. One of the sisters (around 10 yrs old) immediately raises her hand to the t.v. and covers the screen. When asked why she did this, she says she does it because it is wrong to dress like that and to help her brothers not look. You can tell that all she understands is that it is not good for her brothers to look at girls dressed like that or for girls to dress like that. Right now, she obeys without complete understanding.
I'm so very glad she does. But some day, hopefully, she will fully understand why it is important to dress modestly and to help her brothers (biologically and in Christ) not be tempted to lust or dishonor one of God's creatures. If she never grows into that fuller understanding she will miss out on knowing God more.
But there are also times when we do things because it is what we were taught and we never move into that place of greater understanding, and in that we end up doing things unnecessary or incorrect. I'm thinking of the story of the new bride cooking her first roast. As she cuts off the ends of the roast before putting it in the pan her husband asks her why she does that. She replies, "Because that's how my mother does it."
Curious, now as to why her mother does it, she calls mom and asks. Mom's reply is, "Because that's how my mother did it."
Now, they are both curious so they call Grandma and ask her. Grandma responds, "Because my pan was never big enough for the whole roast."
Mom and daughter had continued cutting the ends of the roast off and missing out on perfectly good meat simply because they did it the way it had been done before them without ever moving into that fuller understanding of why it was done that way.
This was me for many years when it came to my relationship with Christ. I did what I was told to do in some cases and what it appeared most everyone was doing in others. But I can gladly say that I'm trying to continue growing into the fuller understanding God desires for us. He doesn't want us to drink milk our whole lives. He wants us to feast on His meat too.
Some of the things I was taught or copied are good things that I'm understanding more and more. And some of the things are unnecessary and need to be released. I'm letting go.
Let's continue to grow.
Bridget
You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, and who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Hebrews 5:12 - 6:1
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
What Are The Odds?
Seriously!? The other day, Bridge and I are kicking back, enjoying a nice afternoon/evening over at a friends house, having a bottle of water (each). All of sudden, and I do mean suddenly, I look at my bottle and notice that the packaging date was my birthday! Cool! Then, for grins and giggles, I look over at my wife's bottle. HOLY DEJA VU! The date on her bottle was her birthday, too! WHAT ARE THE ODDS?!!! Don't believe me? The proof is in the pudding - or photo:
Friday, March 13, 2009
Randomness
I can't think of anything to post about that might actually be longer than a couple of sentences and that might actually be interesting so I've decided to just post all the short uninteresting things floating around in my brain right now.
And for some reason, I don't understand, I feel like putting them in list form. So...in no particular order...here is my randomness.
1. We haven't had sun for three days now. I'm starting to wither.
2. Our good friends are leaving for a week long vaca on Saturday so we've had lunch with them everyday this week since Tuesday. It's been wonderful! Today is our last one for a whole week. Sad.
3. Our other good friends are about to go through the separation caused by deployment for five months. Dad leaves on Tuesday and Mom and three boys will be hanging here till May, then going to stay with family for a couple months, then back. I've never personally been this close to anyone who is dealing with deployment. I know God is going to use this time to draw them both closer to him. God is Good.
4. At present, my living room is painted blue and my dining/kitchen is painted green. I'm hoping to change that and paint my dining/kitchen a beautiful white this weekend. I love the blue and it's time for the green to go. For those keeping count, this will make the fourth time I've painted my dining/kitchen in the 1.5 yrs we've lived here. I know...it's a sickness.
5. Next week is Spring Break! Woo-Hoo! I wasn't sure if we were going to have a spring break this year. Since we home school we don't do schoolwork on Fridays. It's quite nice and has made it much easier for me to stay on schedule. This past week I sat down and made sure we were doing ok on all subjects and were on track to finish on time. We are and can take a nice week long spring break! The kids and I are off to Chicken Town on Monday to spend some time with Nana and just hang out. It will be great!
6. RC's dad is really sick. He's having an MRI done this morning because he's been having some severe back pain. Please pray.
7. My left eye lid has been twitching all week. Oh. My. Word. I am annoyed now.
8. I wrote words to a song for the very first time ever Wednesday night. Still making adjustments but RC likes them and has already come up with a melody. It's very cool.
9. Seeing as how its 9:25 at the moment I really should end this post, wash my face, brush my teeth, and GET DRESSED. I was not going to post this point, but I decided that if this bit of info about my day makes you think less of me then there is really nothing I can do about that. I'm done with pretending to be better than I really am. On most Fridays this is real me. Take it or leave it.
But know, that I love you. Always.
=)
Bridget
*I also almost didn't post no. 9 because I really prefer even numbers to odd ones and couldn't think of anything to make a no. 10 so I was going to end at 8. But hubs prefers odd to even so we'll say I did it for him.
*Also, I just finished proof reading and now it's actually 9:34.
And for some reason, I don't understand, I feel like putting them in list form. So...in no particular order...here is my randomness.
1. We haven't had sun for three days now. I'm starting to wither.
2. Our good friends are leaving for a week long vaca on Saturday so we've had lunch with them everyday this week since Tuesday. It's been wonderful! Today is our last one for a whole week. Sad.
3. Our other good friends are about to go through the separation caused by deployment for five months. Dad leaves on Tuesday and Mom and three boys will be hanging here till May, then going to stay with family for a couple months, then back. I've never personally been this close to anyone who is dealing with deployment. I know God is going to use this time to draw them both closer to him. God is Good.
4. At present, my living room is painted blue and my dining/kitchen is painted green. I'm hoping to change that and paint my dining/kitchen a beautiful white this weekend. I love the blue and it's time for the green to go. For those keeping count, this will make the fourth time I've painted my dining/kitchen in the 1.5 yrs we've lived here. I know...it's a sickness.
5. Next week is Spring Break! Woo-Hoo! I wasn't sure if we were going to have a spring break this year. Since we home school we don't do schoolwork on Fridays. It's quite nice and has made it much easier for me to stay on schedule. This past week I sat down and made sure we were doing ok on all subjects and were on track to finish on time. We are and can take a nice week long spring break! The kids and I are off to Chicken Town on Monday to spend some time with Nana and just hang out. It will be great!
6. RC's dad is really sick. He's having an MRI done this morning because he's been having some severe back pain. Please pray.
7. My left eye lid has been twitching all week. Oh. My. Word. I am annoyed now.
8. I wrote words to a song for the very first time ever Wednesday night. Still making adjustments but RC likes them and has already come up with a melody. It's very cool.
9. Seeing as how its 9:25 at the moment I really should end this post, wash my face, brush my teeth, and GET DRESSED. I was not going to post this point, but I decided that if this bit of info about my day makes you think less of me then there is really nothing I can do about that. I'm done with pretending to be better than I really am. On most Fridays this is real me. Take it or leave it.
But know, that I love you. Always.
=)
Bridget
*I also almost didn't post no. 9 because I really prefer even numbers to odd ones and couldn't think of anything to make a no. 10 so I was going to end at 8. But hubs prefers odd to even so we'll say I did it for him.
*Also, I just finished proof reading and now it's actually 9:34.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Linky Interwebby Awesomeness
This title is not original unfortunately. BooMama uses it for regular posts that contain links to stuff she has found on the internet (known as the interweb to her). Since this post is about two web sites I really think you need to visit I stole her title.
Forgive me, BooMama.
You see, I have this friend Marianne. I think I've mentioned her before. Anywho, she has this amazing seven year old son named Micah. A few months back Micah's school was planning their 100th day of school celebration. Each child was encouraged to choose something that they could collect 100 of, display them somehow, and bring them to school for the celebration.
Micah had an idea. His first idea was to help 100 people. After discussing this with his mom they decided it would be better to focus on helping 1 person to start. So Micah asked for $1.00 donations from anyone willing through his sister's caringbridge site and email. The response was amazing! They stopped counting after 600 letters and some of those letters contained more than $1.00.
They used $100 of the money for 'the man in the van' and then sought God about what to do with the rest. It is still ongoing.
They have named this "The Micah Project" and use the money to help anyone that God leads them too. Right now they are collecting Lowe's and Home Depot gift cards for a family in town who's house burned. They are collecting these till St. Patrick's Day so there is still time for you to participate.
Check out the website and give if you feel led. Let's encourage our children to make a difference!
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
And then...
You see, I have this friend Marianne. I think I've mentioned her before. =)
Marianne is quite the little artist. She has started offering her creations for sale on a brand new website. I can personally vouch for the professionallism and beauty of this art because I received one as a birthday gift from her and it is AMAZING!!! I would totally put a picture of it on here if I could just find my camera. Ugh.
Anywho...check out her stuff. You can buy something she has already made or place an order for something personalized. Mine is personalized. It says: The Babiones Est. 1998
Did I tell you how AMAZING it is?
Ok, peoples, link away!!!
Bridget
Forgive me, BooMama.
You see, I have this friend Marianne. I think I've mentioned her before. Anywho, she has this amazing seven year old son named Micah. A few months back Micah's school was planning their 100th day of school celebration. Each child was encouraged to choose something that they could collect 100 of, display them somehow, and bring them to school for the celebration.
Micah had an idea. His first idea was to help 100 people. After discussing this with his mom they decided it would be better to focus on helping 1 person to start. So Micah asked for $1.00 donations from anyone willing through his sister's caringbridge site and email. The response was amazing! They stopped counting after 600 letters and some of those letters contained more than $1.00.
They used $100 of the money for 'the man in the van' and then sought God about what to do with the rest. It is still ongoing.
They have named this "The Micah Project" and use the money to help anyone that God leads them too. Right now they are collecting Lowe's and Home Depot gift cards for a family in town who's house burned. They are collecting these till St. Patrick's Day so there is still time for you to participate.
Check out the website and give if you feel led. Let's encourage our children to make a difference!
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
And then...
You see, I have this friend Marianne. I think I've mentioned her before. =)
Marianne is quite the little artist. She has started offering her creations for sale on a brand new website. I can personally vouch for the professionallism and beauty of this art because I received one as a birthday gift from her and it is AMAZING!!! I would totally put a picture of it on here if I could just find my camera. Ugh.
Anywho...check out her stuff. You can buy something she has already made or place an order for something personalized. Mine is personalized. It says: The Babiones Est. 1998
Did I tell you how AMAZING it is?
Ok, peoples, link away!!!
Bridget
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Introducing Bobo!
Hi! I'm Bobo! I'm in the fourth grade. I like to play on the Wii, play on my DS, and do schoolwork. I like to work on the dishes, take showers in the morning, and read. My favorite books are the Door Within Trilogy. That includes, The Door Within, Rise Of The Wrym Lord, and The Final Storm. They are good books based on God. Well that's all I'm going to say. Goodbye!
Bobo
*I have temporarily misplaced my camera and when my computer had her work done we lost all our pictures. I was led to believe that they could be saved. Unfortunately I can't find them anywhere on here. Maybe hubs can. So, sorry to say, no pic of Bobo for this post. Bummer.
*I have found the pictures! Hubs knew right where they were! Yay!
Bridget
Monday, March 9, 2009
We're Trying Something New
Seeing as this here blog is a family blog I'm thinking that I'm gonna start having the family contribute more. Good idea, huh?
So, tomorrow look for something from someone other than me and hubs on this here blog. It'll be great!
See you tomorrow!
Bridget
So, tomorrow look for something from someone other than me and hubs on this here blog. It'll be great!
See you tomorrow!
Bridget
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Emails Please
During the month of February my computer had a little work done. Her nose looks amazing now!
Seriously, she was wiped clean. Her little habit of freezing every time I got online or tried to send emails was quite burdensome. The unfortunate part of her tune up was that I lost all my email addresses.
So, if you read this blog and would like for me to email blog updates to you then please shoot me a little email saying something clever like, "I would love to receive blog updates via email."
I know, I should write a book.
If you don't want blog updates via email but would love to know that I have and cherish your email address then shoot me an email saying something clever like, "You're so pretty."
You weren't expecting that, were you?
Thanks,
Bridget
After reading through this post I realized some of you might not know how to email me if you don't already have my email address. Here's the deal: click on Babione6 at the top on the right. Then on the left side of the page is a contact box with a link to email. There you go!
Seriously, she was wiped clean. Her little habit of freezing every time I got online or tried to send emails was quite burdensome. The unfortunate part of her tune up was that I lost all my email addresses.
So, if you read this blog and would like for me to email blog updates to you then please shoot me a little email saying something clever like, "I would love to receive blog updates via email."
I know, I should write a book.
If you don't want blog updates via email but would love to know that I have and cherish your email address then shoot me an email saying something clever like, "You're so pretty."
You weren't expecting that, were you?
Thanks,
Bridget
After reading through this post I realized some of you might not know how to email me if you don't already have my email address. Here's the deal: click on Babione6 at the top on the right. Then on the left side of the page is a contact box with a link to email. There you go!
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Birthday BLOWOUT!!!
Hello all! I've missed you! And while I am preparing a run down of the month of February I just had to jump on here and share with you about my 30th birthday, aka Girls Weekend, aka Weekend of Mystery, aka Birthday Blowout Mini Vacation!!!
Friday morning hubs went in to work an hour early just so he could be home earlier in the day and have more time to spend with me on my birthday. Now, for most men this would mean going to work at 8am or so, but for my man this meant going to work at 5am! He woke me before he left to kiss me goodbye and I thought I had missed my alarm to wake up at 5:40am because that is when I usually get up to tell him goodbye. When he explained that he was going in early I went back to bed feeling very loved.
I had spent all of Thursday cleaning house and doing laundry because I was under the impression that my birthday party was happening Friday night at our house. I got everything but the kitchen and dining room cleaned on Thursday. However, instead of getting up Friday morning and finishing, I got dressed and fixed my hair. I had decided I wanted to be cute all day rather than just that evening. Boy am I glad I did!
After going out for lunch at Luigi's I got to take a birthday nap. Oh, happy day! I slept from 12:40ish to 3:25ish. As I was laying in my bed talking to my Marianne on the phone my girls, Brenda and Jenni, along with my husband barged through my bedroom door, cameras rolling and told me that I have ten minutes to pack for a girls weekend in The City! Can you say 'surprised'?
Still trying to shake off my nap I hurriedly pack. Now, I'm suspicious. If we're going to The City overnight then that means no party. What else does is mean? I'm given very little info but I am thrilled to be getting away with my best friends! And hubs gives me a nice gift to shop with! ;-)
On our way to The City we stop in LaLa Land to return a piece of furniture Jenni had bought. While stopped we discussed where to eat dinner. I suggested my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicken Town and was told it would probably be better to just get on up to The City and eat there. No biggie. However, after only a few minutes inside the store my friends start singing a different tune. How selfish of them to not let me decide where I want to eat on my birthday. We decided on Ed's in Chicken Town and I am completely clueless and obviously naive. I attribute it to my purity of heart.
Upon arriving at Ed's we enter to find my parent's waiting at a table for us! What a WONDERFUL surprise. The reason the thought had not crossed my mind was because my parent's were supposed to be on their way to Dallas to watch my littlest sister at a cheer competition. They chose to leave later than planned so they could have dinner with me on my birthday. I'm not sure I could be feeling more loved at this point.
We continued our journey to The City and stopped at the mall to check movies. Nothing really interested us so we decided on dessert instead. At Mimi's Cafe we each ordered two small versions of their desserts and realized that we were all winding down. I'm informed at dessert that our hotel is my grandmother's house. My granddad is on a golfing trip for the weekend so it's only us girls. We got in our pjs and vegged in front of the tv.
Mema made us breakfast and we all got ready for our day of shopping! Our first stop was DSW. If you are reading this blog and have no idea what DSW is then let me tell you. It is shoe heaven on earth. We scoped things out but I don't buy anything yet. Then it was off to the fabric store across the street. For those of you who know me well, you know a shopping trip without some sort of decorating store stop is just plain wrong! Jenni bought me a 1 1/2 yd remnant of a beautiful green fabric.
Next stop, the mall. Jenni wasn't feeling well so she stayed in the car to rest a bit. Mema, Brenda, and I went inside. We stopped in a few shops and finally found one that had some things I didn't want to live without. I got a super cute denim top, a red cardigan, a white short sleeved sweater, and a khaki trench.
By this time it was almost 1:15 and we were hungry. Red Lobster it was! After lunch, Mema decided she was done for the day so she headed home. We ran back to DSW so I could buy two pairs of boots and some super cute Kenneth Cole Reaction black patent flats. YUMMY! I'm then made to wear a blind fold while we drove to our next destination. Not only that, but I'm made to keep it on and be led into the building. After walking down some stairs and then up some stairs I am told to stop and they remove the blind fold.
Standing before me is my family and my friends that chose to drive to The City and surprise me with a bowling birthday party!!!! We have funfetti cake with strawberry icing baked just for my birthday by my MIL and presents and fun! This is surprise number 4! Wow!
But it doesn't end there.
After bowling, we loaded up to head home, (so I thought) but instead found ourselves at a Homewood Suites! And not only that but my girls (Brenda and Jenni) and their husbands and kids (who all came up to The City for the bowling) stayed at the hotel too!!!! Can you believe this? Seriously!?! A WHOLE weekend for birthday fun!
We relaxed at the hotel for the rest of the evening. Hubs splurged and got us a two bedroom suite. One bedroom with two double beds for the kids, one bedroom with a king sized bed for us, and a living room and kitchenette. Jenni's clan hung out with us in our room and her hubs went and got Panera for all of us for dinner. Brenda's clan went out for steaks for dinner. Side note: Jenni's kids are 7 and under; Brenda's kids are 8 and up, big difference when making dinner choices. RC thought to bring the wii so the kids hung out in their room playing and the adults got to hang out in the living room. It was nice.
Breakfast was served at the hotel and we all managed to be down there at the same time. Then we all headed in our own directions to do some shopping. RC dropped Me, Princess, and Bear off at Ross and He, Bobo, and Popeye went to Best Buy. We lasted about 15 minutes and were done. It was like we hit a wall. Me with all the not knowing, and him with all the planning. We were just pooped. We decided to eat lunch at Shorty Smalls and then head home.
Since we weren't in a hurry to get home we decided to drive through the Wildlife Refuge instead of going around it like usual. As we came upon Mt. Scott we decided to drive to the top and get out for a bit. It was so beautiful! Cold, but beautiful! And the kids ate it up. We are going back when it gets warmer.
We made it home, unpacked, and laid around watching the new movies from Best Buy. It was an absolutely unbelievable thirtieth birthday weekend!
Thank you, babe,
thank you, girls,
thank you, family,
and thank you, friends!
I am feeling very loved!!!!
Bridget
Friday morning hubs went in to work an hour early just so he could be home earlier in the day and have more time to spend with me on my birthday. Now, for most men this would mean going to work at 8am or so, but for my man this meant going to work at 5am! He woke me before he left to kiss me goodbye and I thought I had missed my alarm to wake up at 5:40am because that is when I usually get up to tell him goodbye. When he explained that he was going in early I went back to bed feeling very loved.
I had spent all of Thursday cleaning house and doing laundry because I was under the impression that my birthday party was happening Friday night at our house. I got everything but the kitchen and dining room cleaned on Thursday. However, instead of getting up Friday morning and finishing, I got dressed and fixed my hair. I had decided I wanted to be cute all day rather than just that evening. Boy am I glad I did!
After going out for lunch at Luigi's I got to take a birthday nap. Oh, happy day! I slept from 12:40ish to 3:25ish. As I was laying in my bed talking to my Marianne on the phone my girls, Brenda and Jenni, along with my husband barged through my bedroom door, cameras rolling and told me that I have ten minutes to pack for a girls weekend in The City! Can you say 'surprised'?
Still trying to shake off my nap I hurriedly pack. Now, I'm suspicious. If we're going to The City overnight then that means no party. What else does is mean? I'm given very little info but I am thrilled to be getting away with my best friends! And hubs gives me a nice gift to shop with! ;-)
On our way to The City we stop in LaLa Land to return a piece of furniture Jenni had bought. While stopped we discussed where to eat dinner. I suggested my favorite Mexican restaurant in Chicken Town and was told it would probably be better to just get on up to The City and eat there. No biggie. However, after only a few minutes inside the store my friends start singing a different tune. How selfish of them to not let me decide where I want to eat on my birthday. We decided on Ed's in Chicken Town and I am completely clueless and obviously naive. I attribute it to my purity of heart.
Upon arriving at Ed's we enter to find my parent's waiting at a table for us! What a WONDERFUL surprise. The reason the thought had not crossed my mind was because my parent's were supposed to be on their way to Dallas to watch my littlest sister at a cheer competition. They chose to leave later than planned so they could have dinner with me on my birthday. I'm not sure I could be feeling more loved at this point.
We continued our journey to The City and stopped at the mall to check movies. Nothing really interested us so we decided on dessert instead. At Mimi's Cafe we each ordered two small versions of their desserts and realized that we were all winding down. I'm informed at dessert that our hotel is my grandmother's house. My granddad is on a golfing trip for the weekend so it's only us girls. We got in our pjs and vegged in front of the tv.
Mema made us breakfast and we all got ready for our day of shopping! Our first stop was DSW. If you are reading this blog and have no idea what DSW is then let me tell you. It is shoe heaven on earth. We scoped things out but I don't buy anything yet. Then it was off to the fabric store across the street. For those of you who know me well, you know a shopping trip without some sort of decorating store stop is just plain wrong! Jenni bought me a 1 1/2 yd remnant of a beautiful green fabric.
Next stop, the mall. Jenni wasn't feeling well so she stayed in the car to rest a bit. Mema, Brenda, and I went inside. We stopped in a few shops and finally found one that had some things I didn't want to live without. I got a super cute denim top, a red cardigan, a white short sleeved sweater, and a khaki trench.
By this time it was almost 1:15 and we were hungry. Red Lobster it was! After lunch, Mema decided she was done for the day so she headed home. We ran back to DSW so I could buy two pairs of boots and some super cute Kenneth Cole Reaction black patent flats. YUMMY! I'm then made to wear a blind fold while we drove to our next destination. Not only that, but I'm made to keep it on and be led into the building. After walking down some stairs and then up some stairs I am told to stop and they remove the blind fold.
Standing before me is my family and my friends that chose to drive to The City and surprise me with a bowling birthday party!!!! We have funfetti cake with strawberry icing baked just for my birthday by my MIL and presents and fun! This is surprise number 4! Wow!
But it doesn't end there.
After bowling, we loaded up to head home, (so I thought) but instead found ourselves at a Homewood Suites! And not only that but my girls (Brenda and Jenni) and their husbands and kids (who all came up to The City for the bowling) stayed at the hotel too!!!! Can you believe this? Seriously!?! A WHOLE weekend for birthday fun!
We relaxed at the hotel for the rest of the evening. Hubs splurged and got us a two bedroom suite. One bedroom with two double beds for the kids, one bedroom with a king sized bed for us, and a living room and kitchenette. Jenni's clan hung out with us in our room and her hubs went and got Panera for all of us for dinner. Brenda's clan went out for steaks for dinner. Side note: Jenni's kids are 7 and under; Brenda's kids are 8 and up, big difference when making dinner choices. RC thought to bring the wii so the kids hung out in their room playing and the adults got to hang out in the living room. It was nice.
Breakfast was served at the hotel and we all managed to be down there at the same time. Then we all headed in our own directions to do some shopping. RC dropped Me, Princess, and Bear off at Ross and He, Bobo, and Popeye went to Best Buy. We lasted about 15 minutes and were done. It was like we hit a wall. Me with all the not knowing, and him with all the planning. We were just pooped. We decided to eat lunch at Shorty Smalls and then head home.
Since we weren't in a hurry to get home we decided to drive through the Wildlife Refuge instead of going around it like usual. As we came upon Mt. Scott we decided to drive to the top and get out for a bit. It was so beautiful! Cold, but beautiful! And the kids ate it up. We are going back when it gets warmer.
We made it home, unpacked, and laid around watching the new movies from Best Buy. It was an absolutely unbelievable thirtieth birthday weekend!
Thank you, babe,
thank you, girls,
thank you, family,
and thank you, friends!
I am feeling very loved!!!!
Bridget
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