The Baby Has a Birthday

A Happy Birthday wish for my first born.....

My wish for you is that no matter where you go you will find comfort in the small everyday things. (Kevin on his 16th b-day playing some war game wrapped in his Goggie)

My wish for you is that you will grow up to be just enough like your Dad to be happy and successful (you are well on your way!) and enough like your Mom to really enjoy life.

My wish for you is that your family will always bring you as much joy as you have brought us!

My wish for you is that you will always look good in your "birthday suit" (this is Kev in his "birthday suit!!)

My wish for you is that you will always have that boyish love and excitement for the great outdoors!

My wish for you is that you will never really grow up!!

My wish for you is that you always remember the lessons you learned on your mission.

My wish for you is you will always remember that with effort and hard work ALL things are possible.

My wish for you is that someday you will have an amazing, sweet, loving, kind, smart, thrifty, talented, dang good-looking son....just like YOU!!!

You are such a blessing in my life. I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for teaching me about unconditional love and for being the best son a Mama could ask for!!!

Birthday Countdown

Well, the countdown officially started (for the Random Acts of Kindness Birthday celebration) a few days ago when my best sister chics did THIS and THIS. I am in planning and prep mode here in Omaha. I plan on making cookies to hand out and buying balloons for the same purpose. There will be cart returning and gift card giving. We'll have some quarter posting (think vending machines) and money hiding (all with the RAK card so the kids won't be made to turn it in). I'll probably have to hit the drive-thru at some point so there will be some food-for-the-guy-behind-me buying. I will pray for inspiration and for the ability to know where to be and who needs my help. Did I tell you that I AM OVER-THE-TOP EXCITED?? My sister chics have been texting me with their RAK triumphs the last few days....It has fueled my excitement like gasoline on a fire. I am ready. I am going to have the BEST most memorable, loveliest 40th birthday EVER!!


If you want to give me a gift this year....help me out. Do a Random Act of Kindness and let me know about it. I will forever remember this birthday and I want as many of my friends and family to be a part of it as possible!!

My Birthday is Coming

My birthday is coming up. It is one that a lot of people dread....40.....I'm not worried. Honestly, I have been telling people that I am 43 for a few years now. Since I have an (almost) 22 year old...it was just easier for them not to judge me too harshly. For my birthday this year I decided (after reading THIS post) that I wanted to do something I would always remember for my 40th. How many of you can look back a few years and tell me what you got for your birthday? Well, I can't. So this year all I want from my friends and family is for them ALL to do a random act of kindness. You can do one....or 40, like I will be doing. Yep, that is all I want. Do a random act of kindness and report back to me. I am SO excited to do this. I have been planning this for a really long time. I hope you will have as much fun with this as I plan to. My bestie Heather Hubert has already started. See what she has planned HERE. So, I will let you know how it goes (oh...my b-day is the 28th in case you needed to know). I don't think I have been so excited for my birthday since I turned 16!!! This is going to be THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!

Wedding Cake

There is a funny tradition (or not funny, depending on your politics)  that has evolved from the sharing of the ceremonial first piece of wedding cake. Some couples have decided that mushing it into each other's face is good form. I say probably not. Somehow we didn't tell Kevin what was expected ....at all. Here they are slicing into the pretty cake....

And knowing that he gets a bite....he just throws it in!!!

  I love the look here on Abby's face. She's all, "Really Kevin?" Love it.

"What?? Why are you looking at me?? What?"

 "Oh!" I didn't know....let's try again!"

 I love his red tongue...that red velvet really packs a punch!

 They were so careful to not get any cake on their sweetheart....Kev knows how to feed cake to his new bride!! No red crumbs on her white dress!!! Well done guys!!

 Such a fun day for our family. There were little moments like this throughout. It was amazing. I am still a little giddy about the whole thing. It was truly magical.

Side Bar at the Wedding

My sisters and I have an awesome relationship. We are best my friends. And dang....we are FUNNY!! It's true. Stinkin' dang funny if you want to be exact. 

We are supportive of each other and love is not in short supply. These girls love on my kids in many of the same ways as I do. I never have to worry about Kevin and Abby, they live so close to these two....Sunday dinners and family cook-outs are in their future!

See, the thing is....we could have our own reality show. There is more than enough drama in our lives. We are beautiful. We are smart.  Did I mention that we are funny?

The only thing the Kardishians have that we don't is money....and really....that only makes them self-centered and obnoxious....and we do that on a Wal-Mart budget!

Do you ever see a family in the Wal-Mart screeching at their kids and laughing so loud at each other that they snort.....Probably us.

And don't even get me started on game night. You haven't lived until you have played "No Holds Barred" UNO with us. The rule is you are old enough to play if you can do so without crying. True. Our kids used to ask if they could play. But when we would let them they would cry because Auntie was mean....It's not called Dirty for nothing!!

So if you ever hear of any talent scouts looking for that next big reality show....The Boom Boom Sisters (that is what Jim calls us) would be a BIG hit (and NO, that wasn't a fat joke!!).

I love these girls more than more. They are the rock I stand on. I am working on moving closer so moments like these won't just be a yearly occurance......some day......

The Wedding - Part Two

So many people came to the wedding and the reception. The official photographer has the photos of us as a large group...still waiting on those...but this post will be a few of the candid shots my bestie, the fabulous Ms. Heather Hubert, was able to get. You'll notice that Mr. Cooper is in a few of them. He loved to cheese for the camera and hand out hugs....so we got a lot of this little love bug!!

Cylie found walking through the puddles was good fun....and since it POURED rain while we were in the temple there were a lot of puddles to be had.

Cylie was still a little hesitant at this point to look at Heather very much. She kept up with her "shy face" almost the whole weekend. But not Cooper!! No shy in him at all!!

This little man give the BEST hugs. He is just the biggest love!!

My Bridger stayed in the background this trip. We had a few conversations about baseball and his favorite video game and the rest were smiles. I love his tender heart.

Brook and Bridger hung out mostly together....mostly without any fighting....wow. Brook came to me one time (when she was about 5) and said, "We need to talk. It's been forever since we just sat down and talked." and then she proceeded to talk to me like she was 25. I love this girl!! 

This girl and me go way back. When she was born her Mama had to work so guess who got to be Lacey's babysitter? ME!! I treasure the time I got to spend with this little girl. She will always have a special place in my heart.

When it was time for the newly weds to be on their way, everyone gathered for the good-byes. It was one of those mixed emotions moments. No longer my little boy (not that he has been that for years) this man, now responsible for the welfare of another human being, was setting of for an adventure all his own.

This good-bye with Tyler was hard. Ty will be leaving (today actually, 6-6-12) for the MTC to begin his training for his two year church mission. He will be sorely missed.

My girl did shed a couple tears after saying good-bye to her big brother. She has missed having him around...I am so happy that they are friends.

Abby hugging her daddy....not much emotion there ;)

I tell you, this new family is a hoot!! This is the royal wave. The perfect send off for our kids who have linked our families for eternity. We love having a new daughter and the fact that we already love her family is just icing on the cake.

The Wedding - Part One

Kevin and Abby tied the knot on May 26, 2012 in the Bountiful UT (LDS) Temple. What a beautiful, remarkable, special day.

They were radiant with happiness. It was so very satisfying. He chose well and married for eternity the girl of his dreams. Actually, the girl of my dreams for him as well. He probably has no idea how many prayers were said on behalf of his future spouse. Looks like it worked. She is the perfect match for Kevin...and our family.

My heart squeezes looking at this picture. Perfect....It was a good day. Of course it was pouring rain when we got to the temple. By the time we came out it was just windy and a little cool.

Proud really doesn't even cover it. I cannot think of a better day.

Really, this was even better than the day he was born. Along with the absolute joy I felt at becoming a Mama there was also a huge responsibility placed on my young shoulders. How would I ever manage to teach him all he would need to know. 

But looking at him now, I can say he turned out pretty good. Somehow, the Lord always knows what to give us and when.

There were a lot of proud Mama's there. And rightfully so!

At one point (OK...maybe more than one) I got a little emotional. My Mom was very present....but I wished...just for a minute......

Kevin hates having his picture taken, he was almost done at this point.

Abby's sweet family. Her Dad, Jim and Mom, Connie have raised such an amazing daughter. And little James was a hoot. I can see why Kevin loves him so much.

The four of us. Funny, when I look at this picture...I really do feel like it is incomplete. Abby is such a big part of our family now. Jo finally has that sister she always wanted!!

Jim and Kevin always have to make sure they are the tallest. Too bad Kevin really is!! There was so much fun and happiness on this day. There was no way I could fit it all into one post. I'll get more pics out soon.