At the end of August, my brother celebrated his 40th birthday (which was actually in July.) For his birthday, I made him a blurb book of all of the old pictures I had been given after my mom died. Y’all, it took me 5 years to get this project finished! There were over 5,000 photos I sorted, organized, scanned or actually took a picture of, edited, and then finally put into book form through blurb. The photos went all the way back to our parents’ childhoods and spanned our whole family life together- all the way up until Mom’s death in 2001. It was 200 pages of incredible.
Giving this gift to my brother was probably one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. I love giving gifts that are meaningful, and when he opened it he was truly speechless. I’ll cherish that memory forever. I pray that it can be a place he can return to remember our mom, our family as it was before she died, and also proof for the next generation that the 80′s truly never need be repeated.
(As a side note, I highly recommend using blurb for all of your photo book needs. Their customer service is excellent. The cover of the book had a slight green tint to it, and when I contacted them, they felt that it was something that was part of the image I sent them but still gave me a free credit to print an entire new book. I will be using them to do the same type of project with all the photos I have of our little family of 5- now that I know what to do, I’m going to make our own book.)
Next up was Scott’s birthday party. Meredith planned a fantastic party at a Mexican restaurant in uptown Dallas. The turnout was great- there were around 75 people there to celebrate Scott. We had dinner, there was a slideshow, and people gave toasts to my bro. I especially enjoyed seeing how touching it was to him that so many people think so much of him. My brother is an incredible man- I’m super proud of him.
This is Cullom and JoAnn Jones. They are dear friends of our family growing up and have continued to be special to us since Mom died. After she died, these two people helped me deal with grieving her loss in profound ways. I’m so thankful for their continued presence in my life.
The Joneses (a second set!) Yet another family who have continued to reach into our lives and love us in amazing ways. Sally Jones is one of the kindest women you will ever meet. And when I think of how to reach out to people in need, she always comes to mind- she is so good at that! Love these two Jones families!
From left to right, Sara and Brent are 2 of Larry and Sally’s kids, and Vanessa is Brent’s wife. They are such faithful friends. Love them!
My brother, having a good laugh with a friend. I love it when he laughs.
Me and my man! I love you, Chris! Coincidentally, today (the 20th of October) is our 8th wedding anniversary! I’m hoping to post an anniversary post later today, but if I don’t get to- let me just say that I wouldn’t want to be on this wild ride with anyone else.
Brent is Scott’s best friend of 3 decades. He gave such a sweet toast. Those two have hilarious stories to tell.
I’m so thankful for a big brother who has always been a class act, an amazing example of how to live a life of love and integrity, and someone who has always been fun to be around.
Summer is finally here. School is finally over, at long last. :)
We’re enjoying a more relaxed schedule. More time together. More time to play with friends. More ice cream and snow cones. More of everything, it seems.
Including more fun in the sun.
At a dear friend's birthday party.
All boy.
:) Hope you are enjoying this summer. It will go by fast.
My sweet 3
Bella, 3 months
Just had to post a couple of new pics I took yesterday. The kids are growing up so fast. Wow! Sometimes I can’t even believe I am a mom! Then I see a picture like that first one and I think, “Well, that’s just amazing!” God has blessed us abundantly. I’m so extremely thankful. And a little tired!
In other news, I’m going to NYC to see my dear friend Kate in July. I am beside myself with excitement. She is a dear friend who I hardly ever get to see. We met through the church I went to in the city(Redeemer) when I was a nanny in New York so many years ago. She is expecting her first child now and I get to go see her before the big arrival! I’m so pumped! I will surely have a million pics to post when I come home.
Oh, did I mention I get to take this trip kid-free? My husband is awesome!!!!!
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