Happy Birthday, Angela!

My youngest baby is having a birthday today! How I'd love to be celebrating in person with her! I'd try my hand at a vegan birthday cake. I'd scratch her back for an hour. I'd keep three precious grandchildren while she and hubby went out on the town.

We'd have funny face pancakes for breakfast - totally vegan, of course! Angela, Juliet and I would indulge in manicures and pedicures before heading to lunch at a vegan bistro.

Mostly, I'd just enjoy being with her and rejoicing in the happy occasion that was Angela only a few short years ago (notice I left out numbers). I so wanted that bundle of joy to be a girl and I was thrilled to welcome her. I wanted a little doll to dress up and her Daddy wanted a Daddy's Girl, and we both won big time! What a blessing she has always been.

Alas, I'm a good 14 hours away by car, but my heart is with you today on this special day. I'm so proud of the woman you are, your countless talents, and your unwavering faith in God. You're a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister, and I couldn't have hand-picked a better third child.

Happy birthday, Punkin, and know that I love you with all my heart. Yesterday, today, and all your tomorrows.

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

Our precious Sophia is turning 5 today! What a joy she has been to our family. She has the sweetest smile and disposition, and I love to hear her talk! I dread the day when she learns the proper pronunciation for certain words, although I know it's necessary. When she tells her mother she loves me, she says, "I love ho". Funny and makes me laugh!

Since I'm having trouble uploading my pictures I chose two favorites of mine from her younger years. One captures that precious face and the other shows her prissy, girlie side. And both pictures remind me of her mother at that age. Sophia is a carbon copy, not only in looks, but in her carefree personality. I love ho!

Have a very special birthday, Sophia and know you are in my heart forever. Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Baylee!

Our Baylee girl is a big 7-year-old today! Somehow, when we weren't looking, she transformed from the cute baby above to a lovely girl of seven. And what a joy she has been!

Papa and I surprised Baylee at school today to take her birthday shopping and to dinner. She squealed with delight when she saw us, which always makes our heads grow a little bigger. Before we left we snapped a picture of our elite little group, The Middle Child. We understand each other.
Baylee's smile shows off the missing tooth she lost this week at school during lunch. She's now sporting two windows in that cute smile of hers. And her sweet personality and great sense of humor kept Papa and I entertained all afternoon. We had so much fun with her.

Baylee has a tremendous love for animals - live or stuffed. She chose a variety of animals when we shopped and was anxious to get home and show them to Jude and Sophia. I teased her that we should go to the pet store next door and pick out a puppy and surprise her parents. Of course, I knew better. They will let me slip some sugar to the kids once in awhile, but a puppy would get me in trouble for sure. Baylee has a black rabbit that is so docile and sweet, and she's a very loving and attentive "mama" to him. Taco Meat is lucky to belong to her.

Enjoy your birthday, sweet girl. We always have so much fun with you and are so proud of the smart, beautiful, and sweet girl you have always been. Happy birthday with all our love.

Happy Birthday, Callan!

My youngest grandchild, grandson Callan, is 4 today. Few things are sweeter than this blue-eyed blond cutie! This boy has personality!

It's so sweet how he compliments his Mommy daily by telling her she is pretty and soft. Sometimes we like soft, unless flabby legs or arms are involved. Fortunately, his Mommy is young enough to appreciate soft. He makes her feel like a million bucks.

This little fellow does a good job keeping up with his older siblings, yet is very anxious to get older. I remember wanting to grow up, too, but it comes too soon and the years pass quickly. Already I'm wondering how Callan got to be four years old this soon. He's so sweet and so smart.
Happy birthday, Callan, and please hang on to that precious baby face for awhile longer. Big hugs for your birthday and always all my love.

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

My oldest grandson is a handsome 10-year-old today. Thomas will spend the day with his cousin Jude and his parents at Legoland. These two boys love their Legos. He'll enjoy a family celebration tonight. I've already baked the chocolate chip cookies he requested.

These pictures are from our shopping trip and dinner in honor of Thomas's birthday. We had so much fun together. I was touched by the way Thomas read the words I wrote in his card and commented on them later to me. He'd paid attention! And he was so sweet and complimentary all evening. I adored all the attention I was getting from such a handsome young man.

Thomas chose three separate sets of Legos and I know he stayed busy the rest of the weekend just putting them all together. He has a knack for it, just like his Dad did. When the instructions are put aside and the imagination goes wild, I think it's constructive for the mind to come up with unique designs. Thomas has a natural talent in art and sculpture, and I'm always awed by his

creations.

How many women get to date such a handsome, younger man? I'm blessed.

Happy birthday, Thomas, and enjoy this special day of yours. I'm thankful I got to share in it with you and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love you and I'm so proud of the young man you are. You have such an enormous heart.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

I don't mean to brag, but I have the best sister that anyone could be blessed with. She's charming, she's beautiful inside and out, she has a sense of humor that can't be beat, and she's always there for her family. She spoils me with surprise gifts and is there when I need her, which is 24/7.

I've always loved this picture because it captures the Donna I see all the time - fun-loving, full of laughter and one of the prettiest smiles I've ever seen. If Donna is around, there will be laughter.

Sissy, I'm so thankful that God blessed me with such a special sister. I couldn't have hand-picked a better one. Enjoy your birthday and remember that you are just as beautiful as you've always been. I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Birthday, Juliet!

My beautiful granddaughter, Juliet, is 6 today! If there was ever anyone who was so content in their own feminine skin, it's Juliet. She is all girl and all about anything having to do with a girl. If it's pink, frilly, soft, glittery, and girlie, bring it on. Chasity/Chaz, there will be no gender change in this girl's future!

It's obvious that Juliet gets all her femininity from her beautiful mom. But then, all the ladies in the family know how to work it. I have enough daughters, granddaughters, a sister and a mother to be able to speak with a decent amount of wisdom on the subject.

She still looks adorable even with a goofy smile on a wooden stick.

This girl is stylin'. And she loves anything having to do with a princess. She has the gowns and tiaras and turns herself into a pretty impressive girl of royalty.

The three cousins had a fun day of shopping and lunch with Memaw who likes the girl stuff too.

My four youngest girls sporting matching outfits, compliments of Aunt Dee.

Have a wonderful birthday, Juliet. I'm proud of you for your sweet nature and artistic talent. You're my special girl and I love you so much.

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

My beautiful granddaughter, Camryn, is turning 18 today! We celebrated by going to one of her favorite Mexican food restaurants and splurging on brisket enchiladas and tacos. I usually make ice cream for the grandchildren, but they know they can change it up if the taste buds are ready for something different. Camryn chose chocolate chip cookies this time. I was more than happy to oblige.

I'm proud of Camryn for many reasons. She's always had a big heart and it shows through so perfectly with little Riley, whom she adores. And watching her graduate from high school just made my heart swell. That's a big accomplishment after 12 sometimes hard and boring years of study. Pomp and Circumstance tugs at the heartstrings anyway, but especially when your own granddaughter is walking down the aisle.

Camryn is also a special sister to Candice and Thomas. She and Candice have always been best friends and Camryn dotes on her younger brother. She's so much fun to be with and has such a great sense of humor. She's a hard worker, a loving mom, and one of my prides and joys.

Enjoy your birthday, Camryn. I hope the year ahead is just as special as you are to me. I love you, Girlfriend!

Happy Birthday, Ashton!

My fifth grandchild, Ashton is celebrating his 8th birthday today. His mom has many happy things planned for his special day. And Ashton has been counting the days.

I love this handsome boy for many reasons. He enjoys playing games with me when we're together. I suggest card or dice games, and Ashton says "let's play algebra or fractions." I'm fascinated that he loves to learn, but sometimes he picks the wrong person to play math games with! He's always ready to explore and experience new things. He's lovable and sweet and I adore those open arms when he sees me. He makes me feel like royalty.

Ashton has interests in sports and music, and he can give you a weather report from anywhere in the world. We may have a future meteorologist in our midst.

Did I mention that he's handsome? Happy birthday, my sweet Ashton. You have made my life richer and I love you so much.

Where's the Respect?

A local cemetery is in the news. Again. The most recent negative attention was this Memorial Day where visitors couldn't find headstones for the overgrowth of grass and weeds. Apparently perpetual care doesn't always mean that the grounds will be kept free of debris and weeds growing out of control. I mean, who really cares? The "residents" there aren't concerned with landscaping. So what does it matter?

This latest focus on the cemetery follows a long line of complaints against its owner. He's been in the news before. Lots of times. There were suspicions that graves were being exhumed at night and piggybacked in other graves, thus freeing up more plots to sell. Business is business, right? When the last plot is sold it's time to open up more opportunities. Then, last year a woman reported finding a skull in a heap of dirt. She photographed it and authorities were notified, but the skull was gone when the media and the owner showed up. Convenient.

I have my own personal experience with the cemetery, one that left me with a dirty feeling and in a rage over the lack of respect afforded to those who have passed away. Unaware of the bad publicity the cemetery had suffered, we buried my mother-in-law there. When I bought her headstone I had to contact the owner, pay a fee, and get permission to have the stone placed on her grave. I was instructed to go to a local pawn shop to handle this cemetery business. I walked in to the stench of animals, particularly a big gorilla in a cage - among other creatures and their waste. I was lead to a tiny back room where cemetery business was handled. I was shocked. It was not the environment I expected to see when conducting such a somber and respectful transaction. Fortunately, I'd heard the rumors and bad news when my husband died, and he is buried elsewhere.

I don't have a problem with a man owning both a pawn shop and a cemetery. I do have a problem with the business being conducted at one central location, complete with exotic animals and their stench. Show some respect, dude. And keep people where they are placed. It's supposed to be a "final" resting place, not a stopover. No grave should be disturbed except for legal reasons. And never, never, should a body part be above the ground in a pile of dirt.

And finally, keep it mowed. This might be a moneymaker for you, dude, but it's a sacred place for those of us who have loved ones buried there. Where's the respect?

Happy 40th Birthday, Randee Allison!

Who wouldn't mind being 40 when 40 looks this good? My oldest beautiful daughter is hitting this milestone today. As her mother, it seems impossible that I've been enjoying her so much for so long. It feels like only yesterday that I got the girl I wanted and squealed with delight. She's been a blessing ever since.

Daughter Angela came in for this special event, and a group of us "girls" met for lunch yesterday to celebrate. We had girls of all ages and had a wonderful time.

This is my daughter-in-law Leiann, my granddaughter Candice, and my great-granddaughter Riley. Riley is at the perfect age - 2 1/2 months - to introduce her to the world of girls night out, or day out, or week out. It's all good.

We were so happy that Cheryl moved back to Texas in time to join us. I've been so excited as I anticipated this day that I feel like it's my birthday. I could handle turning 40 again. It seemed so old then, but looks very young to me now.

My sweet granddaughters Sophia, Baylee and Juliet were some of the younger ones in our group. They have the girl thing down pat.

Allison with friends Tressa and Jennifer. We appreciate them for celebrating with us.

Birthday gifts for the birthday girl. Yeah, birthdays aren't all bad.

We all enjoyed the unique gift Angela presented to her sister. There were 40 notes in a bag with a favorite memory written on each note and a roll of bills in each one was a sweet surprise. Some memories were funny, others were tear-jerkers. Allison's idea of celebrating her 40th is to go with her family to Disney World. The trip is being planned and some of us contributed to the fund instead of a big party bash or spa day. But a girl's got to eat, so another celebration is in the works for dinner tonight. Also, since she shares a birthday with husband Brian, it's definitely a family affair.

We're never too young to party. Riley enjoyed her day with the girls even though she dozed through most of it. What a sweet girl!

Is this precious or what??? This sweet smile was in response to her Aunt Dee's loving attention.

There's nothing like friends and family, and having something to celebrate. How thankful I am for this lovely woman, my daughter, and the joy she has always brought into my life.

Happy birthday Allison and Brian and God's blessings for many more. You are the light of my life and truly gorgeous at 40! I love you both!

Grandchildren Rich

Our weekend was grandchildren rich! Robin's twins spent the weekend with us and Allison brought her three over to play with them. Having five of the grandchildren here is indeed rich. Jordan and Sophia were artistic with the sidewalk chalk. That's always a hit and it decorates my walkways until the sprinklers come on or it rains.

Jordan, Baylee, and Sophia became quick friends and we're anxious to have them all together again soon.

Papa with our kids. Actually, he's one of them, only bigger.

Beautiful and handsome group! I was proud of Jude for not thinking his 9 years were just too old to play with 5-year-old CJ. He walked in and immediately started a game with him on the ipad.

After decorating Easter cupcakes, the girls enjoyed a tea party. Here's Princess Jordan.

CJ didn't mind decorating his own cupcakes, but wanted no part of the tea party. I totally understand.

Princess Sophia enjoying her tea and cupcake.

Princess Baylee is adding some finishing touches to her yummy cupcake. It always amazes me how much these girls enjoy pouring from the tiny teapot. They love tea parties and it's fun and easy entertainment. Just pull out the tea set, hats, and tiaras, and enjoy. What a rich weekend!