Happy 21+1 Katie!

Mason planned a surprise birthday party at Hunter & Elise's place for Katie last night and it was oh so fun! Katie was surprised for real, the food was fantastic, and it was great fun to hang out with friends in the grass all evening.

We prepared food... then we waited.

And as they walked up the drive we all crammed into a tiny corner.

We were going to sing "surprise" in harmony but when push came to shove and the excitement began, temporary confusion set in and everyone just screamed whatever they could think of at her... "Surprise!" "Happy Birthday!" "Happy Surprise!" "Birthday!" "Katie!" "Boo!"

(something weird happened to this photo!)

Then we feasted!

All the fresh veggies from Pop's house were soooo tasty! I wish I had a garden!

Finally we took to the outdoors where we could chat and lounge for hours and hours.

Mason & the communal jar of wine

Katie, Elise, Lauren, Dawn, Me

Movie Night

We had movie night with our couples group last night. We watched Notting Hill and ate ice cream sundays! It was super fun to hang out with all of our married friends from the Journey.

Van, Emily, Bonnie, & Caleb

Jill, Phil, Bryan & me

...and David, the flying cow.

Stack them Straighter

Here we are. Right back where we started. Boxes.

As I was sitting on the sofa with my dear husband Tuesday afternoon, he glanced over at this discheveled pile of boxes in the corner of the living room and cringed ever so slightly.

He looked sweetly at me and said in his tenderest of voices, "Dearest Love-of-Mine, if we don't arrange these boxes into a neat and orderly stack tonight, I might freak out." With that I sweetly smiled back and said, "I wondered how long it would take."

You see, my very favorite husband in the whole wide world is a little bit obsessive compulsive. Just a little bit. He doesn't even know he's doing it most of the time, but he straightens things. Straightens all things. They must be at right angles. For instance: We met at Tony's Tamales the other day for lunch and on the counter there were lots of condiment baskets all in a wavy row near the register. By the time we paid all of the baskets were in a perfect line and equidistant from one another. He laughs when I tell him not to straighten other people's things because he just really can't help himself and truly doesn't know he's doing it.

Anyway, my mom and sister came over and saved the day. They helped us pack lots of boxes and organize all the empty boxes so that no one had any meltdowns.

And Beverly brought us some sweet flowers. They really brighten up the boxy background!

Like I said:

I love when beautiful things come in the mail!

Like this cute little wooden box full of 'postcards for every occasion'

Bear with me, everyone. I PROMISE the next couple of weeks will be more filled with posts! And especially once we get to Boston--- think of all the fun things you'll get to see with me! Our beach trip, our road trip from the Gulf Coast all the way to Massachusetts, the big move, and then adventure after adventure once we get there!

Darly Bird

I love when beautiful things arrive in the mail!

Check out DarlyBird and all of their inspired jewels.

I chose these 'Vintage Ruth Earrings' made from "rare opaque vintage Swarovski crystal beads" and the very special vintage flower 'NieNie Earrings' which were named in honor of Stephanie Nielson who I blogged about last year. The extraordinary woman and mother who, after being in a plane crash with her husband, is recovering from severe burns. 1/2 the proceeds from each purchase of NieNie Earrings goes straight to her recovery efforts! Check up on her blog too and see how she's doing!

Have a beautiful day!

I don't know if you know,

but I'm pretty patriotic.

See?

I made a cake.

In the shape of an American Flag (actually most sheet cakes could be considered the 'shape' of an American Flag)... but I decorated it like our banner which waves, nonetheless.

We saw fireworks (on July 2nd) downtown and then hung out at Lexie's house on Saturday for swimming and assorted grilled meats!

We love when her step-dad grills! Everything was so festive!