Family Birthday Gathering

It is tradition that our family gathers for birthdays.  Today we celebrated mine (36) and dad's (60).  It was mom, dad, me, Uncle Larry, Nana, Linda, Richard, Lindsay, Casey, Cameron and Rochelle.  We had chicken over the coals, broccoli salad, potato salad, squash casserole, mac n cheese, green beans and rolls.  Everything was delicious!  I know mom and dad put in alot of work to have this gathering.  We all sat around mom and dad's dining room table.  It was tight but we were all in one room as a family.  One of most priceless things that happened at dinner is that Cameron wouldn't eat but once Uncle Phil started feeding her - she was magically hungry. :)  Just a year ago, she still wasn't sure about dad - now she has him wrapped around her finger!

After dinner, dad and I opened presents.  We both received several nice things.  Rochelle gave me a beautiful purple bracelet with 'believe' and a dangling cross.  Linda and Richard gave me a green cross and a journal full of Bible verses.  Nana gave me an awesome shirt.  Uncle Larry gave me a set of dishes.  Lindsay, Casey and Cameron gave me tasty, tasty fudge!  I was shocked to receive another gift from mom and dad - a Shark steamer!  I can't wait to try it out -- seriously!

Dad received some hunting gadgets from Uncle Larry - a turkey caller, I think.  Nana gave him a gift card to Olive Garden and her famous Carmel Corn.  Linda/Richard gave him some carmel/chocolate popcorn and a Nascar book.  Dad also received some tasty fudge from Lindsay, Casey and Cameron.  Mom pulled another rabbit out of her hat and surprised dad with a record/CD/Cassette player. 

Then it was cake time!  Dad had a carmel cake and I had a strawberry cake both from Edgar's.  Cameron helped both of us blow out our candles.  She is such a little doll.  Below are some pictures from today.  Mom is the photographer in some of them.  I need to get some of Linda's pictures to post as well.

Yes you can have WHATEVER you want :)

Me and Uncle Larry

 

Teaching her all about NASCAR



Cameron helping with the candles




More candles -- more help from Cameron



Love this little lady...

Rumpshaker 5K

Today I walked in my first Rumpshaker 5K!  There were several people participating from IMS: Laurie, me, Sally, Leah, Joanne, Randy, Mitch, Anthony, Chris and Mykee.  Some people ran and some walked.  Mykee had a bad shoulder and couldn't run - so he was sweet enough to walk with me.  He and I finished in 1 hour and 5 minutes.  Maybe by October, for the Race for Cure, I can improve my time.  We also had several IMS people volunteering: Beth, Nicole, Paul, Mike Tucker, Butch and Bill. Below are some pictures from the day.  We all had a great day supporting a great cause!

Laurie, Sally, me, Leah and JoAnne

Me and Nicole



Chris, me, Anthony and Mykee



Birthday time for dad and me!

Dad's birthday is March 23 and this year it fell on a Wednesday.  He and Mom went to Cracker Barrel for dinner but before they left, dad found his birthday surprise!  A new guitar (picture below), amp and foot pedals!

I had church so I couldn't join them.  Sonja and David treated me to my Cracker Barrel dinner.  So, we all had Cracker Barrel -- just a different locations. :)  Mom, dad and I stayed on the phone for the last 45 minutes of dad's birthday and the first minutes of mine.  So cool!

My birthday is March 24th.  After dad called to wake me up and wished me Happy Birthday - I woke up to a facebook page full of birthday wishes!  While at work, I received a beautiful flower arrangement from mom and dad.  It had my favorite colors but most importantly no yellow -- yea!

I went to lunch with Leah and Danika from work at Urban Cookhouse.  LOVE that restaurant!  After work, Sonja treated me to a manicure and pedicure - so relaxing.  Later that evening mom, dad, me, Jeff and Kathy met at Brio's for dinner - YUM!  Mom and dad surprised me with Dreamcake cupcakes. I had my favorite -- Peanut Butter Cup!!!  After dessert, we opened presents.  Dad received a Bass Pro Shop gift card from Jeff and Kathy.  I gave dad a dark red leather guitar strap and a new Alabama shirt.

I received a Kohl's gift card from Jeff and Kathy.  Mom and dad gave me a beautiful Pandora bracelet with several charms (elephant, present, Bible, angel, purple heart bead, black heart bead, dog and 2 spacers).  Also, I was shocked to receive a new laptop - which I am using to update my blog tonight :)  It rocks!

Earlier in the month mom and dad gave me an early birthday present - a video camera!!!  It will be put to good use -- trust me!
Tonight, March 25th, I met some girls from work (GNO) to celebrate my birthday and Leslie's engagement.  Our GNO crew is Kim, Rebecca, Leslie, Theresa, me and Kellie.  We always have such a great time when we get together.  We all chipped in and purchased Leslie a Victoria Secret's gift card; they all chipped in and bought a birthday cake for me! 

We will celebrate the traditional family birthday this Sunday.

I guess it is true -- I turn my birthday into a birthweek!! :)

I am so blessed to have my mom, dad, family and friends who love me for who I am.

Bachelor + Friends = fun night!

Tonight was the Finale for Bachelor Brad's season.  Some great friends, who I met at church, came over to watch it.  Angela - plays flute and a former Marching Southerner; Gwinna - in choir and her husband plays saxophone; Janelle - plays saxophone. 

We all piled in the den and sat paitently for 2 hours for Brad to pick Emily (who I wanted him to choose).  Then we watched the After the Rose for an hour and left totally confused....if they are suppose to work out - they will. 

I am so blessed to have met these wonderful ladies.  As I have said before, the minute I was actually part of the church orchestra - I felt at home.  Thank you Lord for all my many blessings!!

Funky Saxophone

 Friday night Rochelle, Linda and I went to Sips N Strokes.  You learn to paint a picture while you drink.  I had some strong water :)  The picture for Friday night was "Funky Saxophone".  Considering me and Rochelle both played sax - we thought it would be perfect.  As a bonus, Rochelle's friend from her old neighbord was our instructor.  Me and my mini-me also realized that we are both super super Type A.  It was a great night had by all.  Below are some pictures of our masterpieces -- LOL. 




The finished product



Me, Ro and Linda



The Traditional  - Ro and Lav pic



Paisley Kate Lawson Arrives!!

My cousin Blake is a daddy!!!  So hard to believe.  It feels like yesterday when I was changing his diaper.  Now he is changing diapers.  Blake and Linsey welcomed Paisley Kate on Monday, March 7.  She weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long.  She looks just like Blake.

I went to the hospital yesterday and mom/dad went today.

Below are a few pictures that I have of our precious addition to the family.


Proud Dad giving Paisley to Aunt Connie



Uncle Phil and Paisley

AWWWWW



Aunt Connie and Paisley



Paisley Kate in my arms





Sunday with Nana

My aunt/nana has been sick with pneumonia for a little while.  My mom has gone over there several nights to take her food, take out her trash and just spend quality time with her.  Linda, my cousin, thought it would be a good idea to all visit Nana on Sunday, March 6th.  We had Popeye's chicken and a king cake.  We were keeping it very low key so Nana would NOT want to help.  We enjoyed spending our afternoon with Nana and wouldn't have it any other way.