Houston...We Have a Five-Year-Old

On Sunday, the X-Factor officially turned five-years-old. Hard to believe it has been five years since she's looked like this:



To celebrate her birthday, we went to Snow Mountain. Those of you who know me, know that I grew up in the North. I never had to pay to play in the snow...it was just there. Well, Southerners rarely, if ever, see the white fluffy stuff. But...thanks to modern technology snow can now be made and laid out in various football length fields. We went to one such park and the kids had a blast. I'll be honest...I didn't have a blast. It was 60 degrees and Z-man was a mess...and if life was fair at all, I would have lost the extra 20 pounds I've been lugging around since his birth during the time I spent chasing him at Snow Mountain. But despite the weirdness, weariness, and fake smiling, some sweet family memories were made. And the birthday girl enjoyed her present (thanks Nina). One very fun aspect of the day was that we didn't go to Snow Mountain alone. Several other members of our wonderful church went that day as well.



You may notice that X was not wearing gloves. She did sport a new pair of snow gloves for the excursion, but her hands got very hot and sweaty. Both she and Z-man preferred to play without them on. I kept mine on because I have a condition called Raynaud's and my fingers are numb and cold whenever the temps sink below 75 degrees.







The snow-filled adventure took place the day before X-Factor's big day, we had a small celebration on her actual birthday. Her daddy made her favorite breakfast (Blueberry Oatmeal) and dinner (Chilli). I made some yummy chocolate cupcakes and mini bunt cakes.



To read my special and emotional post for my sweet birthday girl, click here.

Ice Cream Sundaes and More

When I was five-years-old, my parents ordered a bouquet of flowers sent to our house. The arrangement looked like an ice cream sundae.

Today, my mom sent the X-Factor a very similar arrangement to mark her fifth birthday.

Happy Birthday Sis

Maranda, Nana, JeanAnn - Mid to late 80's

Maranda - Christmas 2007

Today, my beautiful sister, Maranda "Mer", reaches a milestone...30 years! She's not only my sister, but one of my favorite people on the planet. I was four-years-old, when Mer entered the world. I loved her immediately and wanted to keep her...until she turned two and then I was willing to donate her to the nearest Humane Society. Just kidding...sort of. By the time I reached college, our friendship grew, and today my middle sister is truly one of my very best friends.

Happy Birthday Mer...I love you!

Here are 30 fun facts about Maranda and a song to honor her special day.

1. Like her son Jack, Maranda started talking early
2. She had a short temper when she was a little girl and was quick to put a pushy photographer in his place.
3. Before she was born, I wanted to name her Henrieta after my favorite character on New Zoo Review.
4. She has one of the brightest most beautiful smiles you will ever see
5. She's a senior citizen magnet...I'm serious, anyone older than 55 adores her
6. She earned the nickname Mer after our youngest sister JeanAnn could only pronounce Mermer instead of Maranda.
   
7. She's a fun and loving mother
8. Maranda has a great sense of humor---she's witty and quick with one-liners
9. She could mother a lamp post--she's so nurturing
10. She is a compassionate wife
11. She's a lover of animals
12. She's quite crafty
13. She's a wonderful home decorator
14. She's a great cook, especially of PA Dutch foods
15. She mimics the best PA Dutch Accent I have ever heard
16. She loves to read
17. She was bald until she was two and then grew gorgeous wavy blond hair
    
18. Her laugh is infectious
19. She's loyal
20. She's got a great imagination
21. When we were kids she had several imaginary friends
22. A tad dramatic, she killed off one of her imaginary friends by the name of Hobby Dinkerson, poor hobby succumbed to lock-jaw...I think Mer was about 3 when that happened.
23. Her decorating style is country cottage
24. She reads countless books to her son, Jack
25. She throws great birthday parties
26. She's a lover of chocolate
27. Wal-Mart is her second home
28. She keeps me informed on the latest celebrity news
29. She's got an artistic streak and draws and writes well
30. She is a HUGE fan of the show Golden Girls.
    

In honor of my Golden Sister...here is a little ditty.

Happy Birthday Jack

My darling nephew Jack is officially one-year-old today. This tyke is so precious. He's got a personality just like his mama's...so watch out world, because this cutie pie is smart and witty.

Here are some pictures of the little darlin'. If you get a chance, please visit his blog to wish him a happy birthday.

Note just for Jack -


Dear Jack, we love you so much and are so excited that you are a part of our family. We know you love music so here is a birthday song just for you. I chose this song because it is by a defunct band 80's band called New Kids on the Block. This group was all the rage at one time and your Mommy was a fan...especially of Joey. So because she labored for nearly 2 days to welcome you into the world, this is for you both.

Also, two other Jack's celebrated birthdays this week. Our friend Jack from Gainesville has a birthday today and my friend Julie's little boy celebrated his 8th year yesterday. Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Dr. N.

Today, Dr. N celebrates his 38th birthday. In his honor, here are 38 good things about my good man. But first, a few pictures from his life.

1. He loves the Lord God and lives accordingly
2. He is an amazing and interactive father
3. He believes love is a choice not just a romantic feeling
4. He's a man of integrity
5. He's non-judgmental
6. He's an excellent teacher
7. He's good with numbers
8. He's a good strategic planner
9. He keeps a cool head in times of stress
10. He's a scholar of the Bible
11. He's a political scholar
12. He can explain issues like redistricting and campaign finance reform without me
13. He cares about the environment
14. He's fun at parties
    
15. He's not at all pretentious---hard to find in academia
16. He honestly thinks that the 30 pounds I put on since our wedding day nine years ago makes me look sexier
17. He loves how I look without make up
18. He treats his daughter like a princess without allowing her to become queen of the manor
19. He handles our finances
20. He's always taken good care of our dog even though he never wanted a dog
21. He adopted a doggy for me after we were married for a year
22. He forgives others easily
23. He proposed to me with such creativity
24. If my birthday falls on a weekend, he celebrates my birth weekend not just the day
25. He's a loyal son
26. He's a loyal brother
27. He loves my sisters as if they were his own
28. He is a great dance partner
29. He has this way of actually making me enjoy Sci-Fi shows
30. He's a good listener
31. He purposefully learns about the personal lives of basketball players because he knows that sharing those details with me gets me more interested in the game
32. He makes the best French Toast ever
33. He does his own laundry
34. He's very generous and quick to give to others
35. He always reads the directions/instructions before putting things together or playing a game
36. He's an excellent researcher
37. He's passionate about sharing knowledge with others
38. He's the most honest man I know

Oh, I hate to stop, I could list 38 additional things. It truly is an honor to be the wife of this humble and loving man.

Happy Birthday, Darling.

Happy Birthday Mema!

Napp's Mema celebrates her 84th birthday today. Mema is an amazing, strong woman who loves Jesus and her family. She's always treated me like "kin." We love you, Mema.

Happy Birthday Sweet 16

Happy Sweet 16 to our niece Dezi. Dezi is a beautiful girl with a loving heart for all people and animals. She loves to read, surf, work at her mom's grooming shop, and shop. Dezi is a lot of fun and The X-Factor is looking forward to seeing her in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday Dez! Enjoy your driver's license!

Happy Birthday Nik

Today my brother, Nik celebrates his 30th birthday. Nik is an amazing man and to honor him, here are 30 facts about my only brother.

1. Three years ago he survived a near fatal motorcycle accident
2. He lost part of his leg in the accident
3. He has a computerized prosthetic leg
   
4. His heart was also punctured
5. His mother was told she couldn't have children before she got pregnant with Nik
6. Nik's official name is Nikiha
7. He's strong yet gentle
8. He's determined
9. He's steady
10. He's a man of few words
11. He has these enormous and beautiful blue eyes...truly amazing
12. He's a good listener
13. He is a former Marine
14. He has a black belt in tae kwon do
15. He probably knows at least a dozen ways to kill a man with his bare hands
16. He is employed with the Department of Homeland Security
17. He grew up in Hamilton, Montana
18. He now lives in Virginia
19. He has a dog named 'Bama
20. He travels often for work
21. He's driven
22. He loves a challenge
23. Before his accident he was into eXtreme sports
24. He's a good golfer
25. He is an amazing teacher
26. He loves peanut butter cookies
27. He's very easy-going
28. He's non-judgmental
29. He always beat me at ping-pong--he wouldn't crush me, but he wouldn't let me win either
    
30. My favorite memory of Nik happened the first summer I visited Montana for a week. He was about 7 or 8. We went on a family vacation to Utah for a few days and during some evening site-seeing he held my hand the entire time. It was so sweet and I felt so loved and looked up to.

I love you Nik! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Molly

Happy birthday to my sweet friend Molly. We met Molly and her family in Corpus and formed a special bond. She is certainly a heart sister of mine. I just love that term heart sister.

Molly truly focuses on showing love to others through her actions and words. She's also a world class multi-tasker and a phenomenal wife and mother. I am blessed to call her friend.

Birthday Wishes

First of all, a belated Happy 19th birthday to my cousin Sean Patrick! He celebrated his Birthday on May 10. Lots of birthdays in May...our friend's little boy Bryant also celebrated a birthday on May 10th. Yesterday, a sweet girl in our small group, Taylor, turned 8. She looked so pretty in her pink polka dot dress.

Today marks special days for two members of our small group. Karen has joined me at 34 and Dustin turned 32.Karen with her husband Ted

Both Karen and Dustin are fantastic people. Karen has a great sense of humor and a very giving heart. Dustin's sense of humor is evident in the picture below. Happy Birthday Karen and Dustin.

Dustin with his wife Cassie

Happy Birthday Crystal

My sister Crystal is 28 today! Although Crystal and I grew up on different sides of the country, I love her very much, and we've gotten much closer in our adult years. To honor Crystal, here are 28 fun facts about a bubbly little girl who grew to be an amazing woman.

1. She's a great cook
2. She's artistic and creative
3. Loves to scrapbook
4. makes her own cards
5. makes her own flower arrangements wreaths
6. She's an awesome mom to her adorable daughter Ellie
7. She's also an awesome step mom
8. She's a fun entertainer/Hospitality is one of her gifts
9. She's a great decorator/designer
10. She has a natural fashion sense and always looks cute and trendy
11. She's power shopper
12. She's very generous
13. She's assertive
14. And She's kind
15. She's a natural born leader
16. She has great communication skills
17. She can talk to anyone about anything at anytime
18. She's very approachable
19. Children are drawn to her
20. She grew up in Montana
21. She once lived in Utah
22. She now lives in Arizona
23. She works both inside and outside the home
24. Her birthday was Z-man's due date but he didn't wait that long
25. She once was a competitive swimmer
26. She honed her flirting skills in Jr. high and impressed her big sister
27. The first time we met, I bought her a pair of socks
28. Our Mammy Raup use to tell me stories about Crystal being a sweet and sparky little girl

Special Thanks to Gayle, Crystal's mom, for helping me compile this list