birthdays~

Here are some pics from the kids birthday party this year. We only invited a few people...cousins and some church friends...but the kids had a blast all the same.


my fav pic of the day~ I captured Bub's first expression the moment he opened his Wii:)
Dad, Brooke, Hobbes, Bub, Mom

Jacob, Brooke, Jared, Bub, and Anthony.

let them eat "cake"!

I can hardly believe that NEXT year they will be 8 and 9~~~

Happy *day late* birthday:)

Yesterday my brother Ricky would have been 28 years old. I meant to get on here to do my annual tribute to him, but we were out all day and then went to church last night...so I am making up for it today;) I often write about Ricky and my mom....people may tire of it, but writing about them...thinking about them....keep them alive in my heart. I was thinking yesterday that if he were still living I am sure that I would have just sent a card or called to say Happy Birthday. I don't think I would be writing a tribute to him on my blog. Isn't it sad that more often than not in life, we leave all the good things about that person unsaid until after they are gone? So on Ricky's birthday this year, I thought I would do something a little different...but something I think he would appreciate all the same.

This year my brother Daryl's birthday passed and I am not sure if I even sent a card to him. I called him for sure, but he and I don't really do the card bit every year. We don't send presents to each other...simply call to remind the other that the other a year older, and we still love each other;) I don't write much about Daryl in my blogs...maybe in passing or in the anticipation of a visit, or in the satisfaction of a visit just passed. I spoke with him on the phone today and told him some things that I don't know why I've waited to long to say.

Daryl...
I remember the way you were while we were growing up....short and chunky, always walking around with a chip on your shoulder. You wore your heart on your sleeve and loved to pout or throw a fist when you didn't get your way. There were times that many shook their heads at you and the choices you were making after high school...I was one of them:) But you made your mistakes, learned from them...and GREW. That alone is something to be proud of. You've been down some bumpy roads, had some curve balls thrown at you....some of your own making:)...but you've come out on the other side with your head on straight and held high. You know who you are and are comfortable in your own skin...never putting on airs or pretenses with anyone. *and i do mean, anyone!* Your philosophy on life is so much like mine...that I have to think that mum and dad really did SOMETHING right. You're hardworking and honest....true to those who you love. You've always got my back...and you're always, ALWAYS there for me, even when it's something trivial or silly. There are few other people who know me, GET me...the way you do. You're an amazing brother...and you've grown into an amazing man. I'm so proud to call you my brother, Daryl.....but even more proud....BLESSED...to call you a true friend. I love you way down deep and more than all the mandarin orange pies in the world:)*ok, maybe not ALL of them....LOL!*

**This is my tribute to Ricky...my brother who isn't here to read the many great things I could say about him. Daryl and Ricky were best friends in ways that I can't imagine. We were so lucky...blessed to have him in our lives for almost 17 years. I know writing this would make perfect sense to him...and if he is looking down from heaven...I know there is a big old smile on his face:) Happy 28th Ricky! I love you and miss you as much today as that first moment you left*

Brooke's 7th Birthday!

Every other birthday the kids don't have a party. We pretty much just let them "rule the day" on their "off" birthdays. Brooke made a plan for her birthday....and I must say, it was a pretty good one! She started her day biking with her daddy. She tells me they raced and that she won:) Bub and I went to Target to pick out his present from her and then we all met at Chic-Fil-A for lunch. She loved the Soda Pop dolls that Bub got for her! The kids ate and then played for a while....then it was off to Target (AGAIN!) for Brooke to pick out her present from mum and dad. I know this sounds weird, but this year she wanted a new bike....and I think it's best for her to pick the one she wants rather than I get one and she not like it. So we got the bike and she tried riding it in the store!!! She also had some birthday money so she picked out this massive Bratz beach thing.....(which took me no less than 30 minutes to open and I have the blister on my hand to prove that opening it was no easy feat!)

We made it home and she rode her bike for a while until we had to get ready for our BIG NIGHT! She chose to eat dinner at Wasabi, which is a new sushi place close by. We had a nice dinner and she was presented with green tea ice cream after the waitress took a birthday picture of her to pin on their birthday wall.