Friday Letters

Dear Students,
Seriously could we please go one day this week without any issues? I love you all dearly but you wore me out this week.

Dear lady at the grocery store,
Express Lane 12 items or less means exactly what it says. Just because the other lines are long doesn't mean you can choose to go to that lane to get you and your cats your monthly groceries!  I only had 6!

Dear Harden's,
Thanks for having us over for games and desserts! We had a great time and many laughs! Your son is so adorable.

Dear family,
Sorry but I used the wrong recipe for the pumpkin muffins for the tailgate.  Hope you still like them.

Dear CBS,
I am going to miss Big Brother and now have to find something to occupy our evening schedule with three nights a week. You should consider 2 seasons a year. Thanks for the return of Amazing Race though.

Dear fall,
While many people are excited for your arrival and I do like things about you I am still in denial that summer ends tomorrow

98 Years of Blessings

Have you ever met a lady who has had 98 years of wonderful blessings while being the biggest blessing to all of those around her?  I sure have!  That lady is my Ma!  She is such a sweet and special lady to all of us.  She is not only special to those in her family but to others in the community, church, schools, etc.  This lady is a Christ-like example to all she comes in contact with.  My Ma is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, leader, servant, and the list goes on.  Because of Ma I am so blessed to have a wonderful loving and supportive family.  Not only did she give me the best dad a girl could ask for but she also gave me the best aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I am so fortunate to have grown up with this large family who loves me and encourages me each and every day!

We were so happy last weekend to celebrate her 98th birthday in a big way!  In our family birthdays especially 98th birthdays call for a BIG PARTY, so that is just what we did.  Here are some pictures to highlight the evening. 

Ma and her 4 children:



 Matt and I with Ma:

 Ma with her children and their spouses:

 Ma and her 13(missing 1)grandchildren (including spouses), and 2 great-grandchildren:

 Ma and her birthday cake:

 My cousin Sydney, she is just the sweetest!

 The cupcakes that I made for Ma's birthday.  There are little flowers on them.  A big thanks to my mom for being my helper that night!

 The cake that I made for the party!

 My sister Emily, Neice Caroline, and Cousin Sydney, a swing full of beautiful ladies on the inside and out:

 As the night went on we decided to take some silly pictures.  Matt, Olivia, and me:

 Suzanne and my Dad. The HOKIES:

 Suzanne, Matt, and I being silly:

 My beautiful cousin Suzanne.  She is such a great girl!

 Matt cleaning up after the party:

 There was an OLD tv.  So Ma and her children recreated a picture that could have been taken many years ago!

It was such a fun night being with family and friends to celebrate Ma's 98th birthday.  I am so appreciative of my grandma and how many lessons in life she has taught me!  We love you Ma!

Happy 98th Birthday!  We wish you a happy and healthy year and many more birthdays to come!

Friday Letters (a day late)

I saw this idea on another blog and I decided I would try it this week!  I think it is a link up so maybe one day I will do that.

Dear Class,

You always put a smile on my face and I am never surprised at what comes out of the mouths of so many boys!    

 

Dear Husband,

I am so proud of all the work that you have been accomplishing with your online course for Seminary!  You are doing great, keep up the hard work!

 

Dear Weather,

It sure is nice to have these fall like days but seriously didn't summer only arrive a few weeks ago? I always hate to see summer time go!

 

Dear Neice,

I miss you terribly and hate that I will not see you this weekend!  You should convince your mommy and daddy to bring you and your puppy dog Jack to visit tomorrow after church!

 

Dear Saturday,

It is so nice of you to finally be here and to be a day where there is actually nothing planned on the calendar.  Yes, I love football and I will more than likely watch several games on TV but I can handle a Saturday morning to sleep in.

 

Dear VT football,

I look forward to coming to cheer you on next Saturday and to tailgate and spend time with all my loved ones!

 

Dear SWCO Deliverer,

You do not know how much excitement you brought me yesterday when I drove up to my driveway after work and realized you FINALLY started giving us the SWCO again.  It truly baffled us as to why for the last month or so EVERY neighbor got it but not us.  Seriously, don't skip our house again!

 

Dear Weekend,

Thanks for coming around again!   Now if we could take it nice and slow that would be much appreciated. :)

Books I've Read

This summer I had high hopes of reading many books however this summer has come and gone and I have not read that many.  I still have several on my list to read but here is what I have read so far.

I love to read and to get lost in books.  This summer I have tended to stay with the non-fiction books and it has been a good change up from the norm for me.  The books above have definitely been uplifting and motivating to me.  They have encouraged me spiritually.  I would recommend all of the above and hope that you would also find them to be spiritually uplifting.  My goal as seen on my 30 by 30 list is to read the Bible all the way through and to start memorizing verses each month. 

What books have you read this summer?  Anything that you would recommend?