My birthday, Easter and other random thoughts...

Well, this birthday doesn't top 1997--spent that one in Paris with great friends and even greater memories. I will have to share that story sometime. But it definitely rocked last year's birthday! Click HERE to read about that.

But it started with meeting Angela, Toni, Angela's friend, Sandy and Dede at Jalisco's--good food, cheap margaritas!

Then we went to the ER in our old stomping grounds, Tarrant, to hear 4Play--David Hill & Roger Slater's band. They are great as always and I got to see lots of good friends including Anji, Dorinda & Mike, Allison, Kathy, Amanda & Eric, Danielle, Tim, Dana, Rhonda and I'm sure I'm leaving some out (sorry)...but we had a GREAT time!!!

me and Dorinda...


me and Rhonda



Anji, me, Rhonda, Dorinda




After we closed the place down, me and a good friend that's going through a rough time went to Waffle House. I didnt get home till early the next morning but I had to stay up because I had SO MUCH to do!

Had physical therapy, then tanning, then Brooke's soccer game which they won by the way--shorthanded! Then last minute Easter shopping, cooking out, dying eggs, making potato salad, getting ready for the Easter bunny... by the time I got to bed a little after 10pm I was EXHAUSTED!!!

But I had no problem bouncing back up the next morning. It's unbelievable that my kids, as old as they are still love to find Easter eggs and get a little competitive with it!

I also thought it was hillarious that when they were dying the eggs the night before, they threw out the orange tablet!!! They are such die-hard Bama fans!!!

We got ready and went to Nett's to cookout with the rest of the family and my mom surprised me with a double chocolate cake and the sweetest card! I also got a check but the card impressed me most...it played one of my favorite songs "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts! I think our relationship is definitely on the mend. It just breaks my heart to see her and Dad struggling like they are--physically, financially...spiritually. I wish I could do more than pray, even though I know prayer is the most important thing. This is the time of their lives they are supposed to be enjoying, not in so much pain all the time.

But everyone seemed to enjoy spending time together and it hasn't felt that way in a long time!

Baby Chloe...



Now I ask you--why can't all those little fat rolls be considered attractive on adults?



My Cooper...



He's not too crazy about me these days...my baby magnetism doesnt work on him for whatever reason. Heartbreaking but I can usually get a little love out of him!

Here he is sharing his pap with his mommy...




and chillin' with Pop!



Dylan with baby Liam...



Beautiful girls!



Gorgeous men!



Dylan and Zac--the original little men!



I am SO proud of this amazing young man!!!


and I absolutely LOVE my three babies!!!



Last night as I was relaxing with Mady on the couch I was thinking about last year's birthday and the year that followed. How God allowed me to be stripped me of everything I had--not just material things but self-esteem, dignity, pride, strength--so he could slowly rebuild and restore me. And boy did He ever! When I think of how far I've come in just a short amount of time and how blessed I am...it's overwhelming! And I know that it is DEFINITELY all God. I'm by no means where I need to be. I still stumble and fall and always will, probably. But I'm not where I was and for that, I'm VERY thankful!