First 40

Yesterday was my BFF’s 40th birthday.

Marissa and I have been friends since I don’t even remember when. We were in the same Kindergarten class at Benbrook Elementary. We went all through elementary, middle school and two years of High School. We roomed together at Texas Tech. She was in my wedding and I was at hers. I remember when she was pregnant with her daughter. We lost touch for a few years, then after she had her son and I had Michael we reconnected. Then, for about the next eight or nine years we were only in contact two or three time. Then last summer she found me on Facebook.

I am so blessed to have her back in my life. I have really needed her this year, and every time, she has been there! She truly is a lifelong friend, and I love her! So, when her husband called and invited me to a surprise party for her 40th birthday, there was no question that I would be there.

The party was a lot of fun, and it is always wonderful to see her family. There is something that just feels good about being with people who have known you through all the good, and all the bad too! But it has left me pondering 40 and my 40’s. When I reflect back on my 30’s, I am astonished by how many times my life has been turned upside down with changes. What will my 40’s bring? What will the next 40 years bring? The possibilities are endless, and exciting, and frightening.
Anyway, these are a few pics from last night.


Me and Marissa! Who would ever believe that we are "40!"

All of those candles! It took like a hour to light them! LOL!

And then they were trick candles and kept lighting back up!

Marissa and her mom, Helen. Two beautiful women, on the inside and out!

Dirt Bike Boys

I am pretty sure that I blogged about the boys getting dirt bikes for Christmas last year. The bikes are no big deal, but the boys were SO excited to get them! They tried to ride them a little after Christmas and did pretty well, but then things just got crazy and they really didn’t get back on them until June. They were at a Dirt Bike camp the day that Daddy died.

Just after then they tried to ride, but both bikes needed a tune-up. Mark brought them home to work on. Finally, about two weeks ago the boys stayed out with Mom for the weekend, and we found a trailer and a dirt bike for Mark, and on Sunday when we went out to pick the boys up they got to ride dirt bikes with their dad. I can not tell you how happy that made me to see the three of them together having fun.

I took the boys back to Mom’s last weekend and Michael and Mavrick road again. That time I decided to watch them in style with my shade structure and lounge chair. They did so good, especially not to have Mark there with them! But after a while, they got bored and I told them that I would take them this weekend to the dirt bike track a few miles from Mom’s. Thankfully, it rained all day yesterday, and they had a busy day today, so we didn’t go. I am a bit worried about their lack of experience, but this track has a track specifically for kids. I hope the more experienced riders will be on the bigger track so they can be comfortable, but still see that they have a lot to learn yet. They have already asked if we could go next weekend. :)


This is Mark on his bike. It is a beast! It is as tall as I am!


This is Mavrick. He has already taken to spills, but gets right back on!


This is Michael. He gets bored real quickly on Mom's land, so hopefully he will like the track.


And this is my husband. Something about that little outfit is HOT!!!


And this is the trailer. It is packed! Can you imagine me driving with this thing on the back of my car? (See the pulling trailer blog from October of '08! LOL!)

A Special Day

43 years ago today, my mom married my dad, and so began a legacy of unconditional love and friendship. I am so blessed to have this as my heritage! Thank you Mom and Daddy for teaching me how to be a true friend and how to love without limits. ♥ U Mom. ♥ and miss you so much Daddy!

You probably saw this as my Facebook status today. It is kind of bitter sweet day. I am so proud of my parents for keeping it together for so long. Mark and I have been married 17 years, and I can honestly say it’s not always easy. There are not flowers every day, and after only 17 years we will both admit that we are not the same people we were when we met and/or got married. I can only imagine how one would change over 43 years.

The weekend before Daddy died, my three boys stayed with them. Mom and Dad were talking about something and Mom gave Daddy “the finger.” Well one of the kids saw and said something like “aaaawwww! You waved your nasty finger at Poppy!” Mom’s reply was simply, “that’s how we communicate.” Ok, it may not have been the most polite form of communication, but it was communication. I think sometimes we forget to communicate, or even how to communicate. But they still could and did, after all those years together.

In a Beth Moore study I was doing right before Daddy died, she spoke of our heritage. We are children of God, and we have inherited all of the good and mighty things that would entail. We were encouraged to pay attention to the legacy, the heritage that we are creating for our children. My parents were great examples of how to love each other through it all. I know times were not always easy, and some were just dang hard, but they stayed together through it all. Not even once considering walking away from the other. I am proud of my heritage, and I can only pray that I will leave my children the same legacy that my precious parents have given me.