My 50th Birthday Brunch

My sister truly outdid herself on my 50th birthday party.  Several months ago I really wasn't sure I even wanted a party but then as I thought about it I knew it would be fun.  I just had to really think on what kind of party I wanted and came up with the idea to do a brunch, open house style.  I thought this picture of me is very fitting because right as Kim took the picture the slide show picture of my family popped up.  I have more thoughts to write on about turning 50 and what it means to me but for this blog I'll simply focus on my fun party.  For about a week leading up to the party I got my hair and nails done and my eyebrows tinted.  Forty eight hours before the party I got my first spray tan which was worth every penny by the way.  Of course the first night I got it done Nick asked me what the heck had happened to me.  He could hardly take me seriously with my bronzy tan and tinted eyebrows.  The eyebrows and the tan calmed down (which I knew they would) by Saturday.  These are probably all things my 30 year self wouldn't have done but this almost 50 year old felt it was a necessity.  Ha.  

My beloved sister.  She worked so hard at my party.  I've thanked her a thousand times.  I just can't say enough about how hard she worked and how much thought she put into my party.  She is also really good at planning parties, something I'm not so great it.  I have a lot to live up to for her 50th.  Thankfully I have four years to plan it and I can enlist Lauren's help.  Ha!  Notice the huge balloon display.  She and our friend, Janet, worked on it together and Kim said it was a huge pain.  God bless my sister.  

Sarah and Mary also helped Kim.  They both made food.  I love these women.  I'm constantly thanking God for placing them in my life.  Sadly Mary could not stay for my party  A very dear family friend had passed away and his funeral was the day of my party (another indicator of our age.  Funerals are becoming more consistent).  

My dear momma.  It's so hard for her to get around these days but she loves a good party.  She enjoyed seeing a few of my girlfriends and chatting with people.  Leslie brought mom and I'm so thankful.  

I joked with Jay that he got the favorite son award for my party.  Nick had a pre-planned fishing tournament and could not attend.  Boo.  Trystan was sick so Jay came solo to my party.  I sure do love this boy.  

 Mike was in charge of the waffle bar for my party.  Notice his shirt.  He was hard to miss.  He is such a blessing to me.  

I'm so humbled by all my friends who came to my party and by Kim's kind and thoughtful heart.  Here's to 50! 

First Place - Sectionals

 Yesterday Nick and his fishing partner, Brantson, fished in the IHSA Sectionals and got first place!  I am so excited for Nick and his team.  What an accomplishment.  There are still several more tournaments ahead.  After school tonight Nick takes off a weekend of fishing.  There is no rest for Nick these days but he loves it.  As my grandpa use to say it's just the way we like it.

Nick's Senior Prom

Well my last boy went to prom last night for the final time.  His girlfriend, Emma and him were a stunning couple and Nick had a great time.  I'm pretty sure there's a lot I don't know about and I'll say ignorance is bliss sometimes.  It is rather bittersweet knowing there are no more proms (as far as my kids go).  I do have a love/hate relationship with prom.  I love seeing the kids get dressed up and love seeing what the girls are wearing but I hate the worry that comes with the after party festivities.  

 The crew.  Nick's fishing partner is in this group and his best friend, Chase.  I know all the kids had such a fun time.  

Season of life

 I've wanted to sit down for weeks and write.  I guess I haven't felt creative enough.  I doubt this writing will be creative but it's a quiet Saturday morning.  I've read my bible, listened to my pastor on his Mike Talks and finished my first cup of coffee so in my world all is well.  There's been a lot lately and I'm coming face to face with the reality of what is to be a new season of life.  I'll be 50 in 2 short weeks so there's that.  Mike and I just celebrated 26 years of marriage.  I am so thankful to God for that man who has honored me and been faithful to me for 26 years.  Nick is graduating from high school.  Jay has put an offer in on a house in Trystan's town so he will officially be moving out and moving on.  My mother in law passed away in February in Florida.  My father in law, John, stayed in FL after her passing but has just returned home.  Things were very difficult with my in laws before her passing but Mike and I are so optimistic about our future relationship with his dad.  John will be spending Nick's birthday evening with us as we move forward in building a heart felt relationship with him.  It is our deepest desire to care for him and love him during this hard time.  Needless to say things are a changing.  Someone asked me recently if I was excited to turn 50 and I didn't hesitate when I responded with a resounding Yes.  It is hard in knowing my boys don't need me anymore but this was always the goal, to raise them up right and set them free.  Recently the Lord has blessed me with new relationships.  He always knows what I need and when I need it.  He has given me a church family that I never could have imagined as little as 2 years ago.  He's answered every prayer I've had for Trystan.  She is true blessing to me and our family.  I look forward to forging a new, fresh relationship with John.  And don't even get me started on my tribe of girlfriends from Jenny to Mary to Sarah to Shannon.  They are not only dear friends to me but also my fierce prayer warriors.  At the end of May I'm starting a prayer and action group which right now only has 3 members (including me) but I am hopeful the Lord will lead more women to the cause and challenge.  I am so thankful for all the Lord's provisions.  

If I sound overly "rainbows and bunnies," don't let it fool you.  I have daily struggles and the last two weeks have been hard.  The Lord is patient with me and slowly reminds me of all I have to be thankful for.  As I often say I'll keep on keeping on, stumbling along the way but getting up and lifting my face up.  

Texas and Prom

What a wonderful weekend it has been.  Sieb went to TX on Thursday to see Mike.  I hear they went to the shooting range and toured a distillery.  Judging by Sieb's shirt he clearly is living his best life this weekend.  Ha.  All jokes aside though.  Sieb looks forward to these trips.  It gives him a chance to get away and relax with his brother, Mike.  I call him brother because that is truly what he is.  He may not be blood but he is 100% family to Sieb and I.  

Yesterday was Lauren's prom.  Isn't she beautiful?  Sweet Trystan did her hair and it was stunning.  

Us girls spent the afternoon together.  Trystan did Lauren's hair and us girls sat around chatting and laughing.  Mary stopped by too.  It was a delightful day.  I have to pinch myself that I'm at this age where I can sit back and enjoy this new chapter in my life.  

Sweet Lauren and her good friend, Ava.  They were so excited to go last night and the weather was perfect.  I can't wait to talk to Lauren today to get all the details.  
 

Another weekend of fishing for Nick

I give so much credit to our coach and these boys for our fishing team!  Nick gets up early (all the time), fishes in terrible weather and loves it.  His captain and partner do the same thing.  I believe that Saturday was a rough day but Sunday they turned things around.  Our team came in as team of the year and Nick and Brantson came in 5th place.  Another great weekend for Nick and our team!

 

Happy 50th Sarah

Yesterday we celebrated Sarah's 50th Birthday.  Jenny surprised her and flew in to be with her (hence the picture above).  To say Sarah was surprised is an understatement.  I'm so glad we were able to pull this off.  It's a birthday Sarah won't forget.  

The weather was gorgeous yesterday and we had a brunch for Sarah at her home.  It was lovely.  It was a small but intimate group - just the way Sarah likes it.  

My sister did so much to help with the party.  She had a mimosa bar which was a huge hit!

The three of us ended our day at Reality Bites for my favorite, a cosmopolitan.  What a blessing these girls are to me.  I don't know why the Lord blessed me with the women in my life but I'm sure glad He did.  It was wonderful having Jenny stay with me these past few days/nights.  She flies back home to Texas today.  It was such a great weekend!