Today, July 29th, is my wonderful big sister's 30th birthday! It is very strange to have a sibling in the 30's! I wanted to post this earlier today, but I've been working on your party all day!! In honor of her 30th birthday, I'm going to write 30 reasons why I love her...

1. She prayed for me to be a girl, and from day 1, took care of me like I was hers.

2. I always wanted to be by her side growing up, and she rarely ever seemed to mind.

3. I always wanted her to go with me to the bathroom at restaurants growing up, just as the food came, and she would always do it and never complain.

4. When I was 7, we moved to a bigger house and stopped sharing a room. I missed sleeping in the same room so much that she would let me sleep in her bed anytime I wanted.

5. When I wasn't sleeping in her room, I would get scared walking down the hallway to go to bed. I had to have someone walk me down every night. One day she sat me down in the living room and played me the Beach Boy's song "In My Room" and told me that there was no reason to be scared. For some reason, I trusted her and didn't get as scared anymore!

6. When I started becoming interested in boys in 8th grade, she helped me learn how to wear make-up, do my hair, and dress cooler.

7. She knows me just about better than anyone!

8. We really have so much fun together.

9. She played a big part in making me who I am today.

10. We always have great talks together.

11. She knows better than anyone exactly what to say to me to make me feel better.

12. We make eachother laugh all of the time.

13. We hang out almost everyday and never get tired of eachother.

14. She's an incredible mother to my niece and nephews.

15. We rarely fight.

16. She still takes care of me, by making my favorite cookies all of the time, cooking me fabulous meals when Josh is working late, making me coffee just the way I like it.

17. She's very bright, seems to know everything.

18. She's very strong, but a softie when it comes to me, bryon, and her kids.

19. She's always been a great role-model for me, making my transitions into high school, college, marriage, etc., a lot easier.

20. She helps me snap out of it when I need to, or comforts me when I need it.

21. She loves my husband and I love hers...we have lots of fun together!

22. She tells it like it is.

23. She the best shopping partner, road trip buddy, or hang around the house friend anyone could ask for.

24. We have lots of funny inside jokes that we can pull out at any time.

25. She and Michael will probably be the longest friendships I'll have (they got a 20 year headstart on Josh).

26. Our relationship truly grows and deepens more and more each year.

27. She keeps me accountable for everything.

28. She loves me for who I was, who I am, and who I'm going to be.

29. She's always made me proud to say that she's my sister.

30. She's the best friend and sister anyone could have asked for!

I love you dearly, and couldn't be more blessed to have you as my sister!! Happy 30th!

Another fun chain going around. Once you read it, you have to do this...if you blog:

1.) What I was doing ten years ago:
July 1995
It was summer after freshman year of high school. I had to go back and look at a picture album for this one. I went to Mission Trip in Paonia, CO, with my youth group. When I was gone, Elizabeth called me and told me that she met the man she's going to marry. When we came back, I met Bryon and loved him. I was very excited! I went to church camp at Iron Springs. My cousin (the one who just got married) came from New York and we showed her around Texas. Then she and I went to New York together, then Cape Cod. I think all in all, we spent about 5 weeks together, which was lots of fun.

2.) Five years ago:
July 2000
I was in Florence, Italy, for Harding's overseas program all summer. I took a semester of classes in our villa right outside of the city. I also did a "free travel", where we broke off into groups to travel around wherever we wanted to go in Europe. 4 friends and I went to Venice, Salzburg (Sound of Music Tour), Rothenburg and Fussen, Germany, Prague, and Switzerland. I had the time of my life there, and crave going back!

3.) One year ago:
July 2004
Josh and I were settling into our apartment. We had just moved from Dallas the month before. We were trying to potty train our new dog (which didn't work out too well...we gave her to a new family), and I was nervously awaiting a new school year teaching in a new school district.

4.) Yesterday:
July 24, 2005
I went to church, then McAlisters for lunch. Josh and I went to test drive a car. (I have been driving the same car since junior year of high school, so we're thinking we might get me one next year!!) I went to the Parade of Homes with Elizabeth. I relaxed with Josh at the house, and then we went to Taco Bueno (our Sunday evening tradition). Then we went on a long walk and watched some tv before bed.

5.) 5 snacks I enjoy:
cookies, almonds, dark chocolate, ice cream, chips n salsa


6.) 5 Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million:
give to church, pay off everything for us and our families, upgrade everything (car, computer, furniture, etc.), buy a house for Josh's sis, Jo Anna, here so they could live near us, buy a couple of vacation homes, the rest I would save, save, save and give (charities and gifts for friends)


7.) 5 locations I would like to run away to:
Florence, London, Edinburgh, Cape Cod, NYC


8.) 5 bad habits I have:
biting my nails, shopping too much, putting things off, snacking after dinner, play before work


9.) 5 things I like doing:
spending time with Josh, family and friends, walking, reading, listening to music, traveling


10.) 5 TV shows I like:
24, Bachelor, CSI, Boston Legal, Deparate Housewives, American Idol, oh yes...can't forget about the Apprentice...probably my fav


11.) 5 things I hate doing:
ironing, mopping, unpacking, waking up early (although once I'm up, I love morningtime), grading papers


12.) 5 Biggest joys of the moment:
it's summertime, getting excited about a new (school) year (I love the fall), nothing much going on...just really content right now, josh's job is going well, spending lots of time with my sis and her kids during the day


Now...some of my blog friends, consider yourselves tagged. I will be anxiously awaiting your posts so I can enjoy learning more about you...

Today is my most favorite guy's birthday, so in honor of his 26th, I thought I'd write 26 reasons why I love him...

1. He loves me unconditionally.
2. He's very easy going, but a go-getter.
3. He's a strong spiritual leader, from college, to church, to our home.
4. He's hilarious (he's got his own brand of humor), and keeps me laughing everyday.
5. He's almost always in a good mood.
6. He's extremely patient.
7. I've never seen him once loose his temper and can't fathom him ever doing it.
8. He's very ambitious, gives 100%, and is really good at whatever he does.
9. He's very cuddly, he's a teddy bear.
10. He makes any situation in life more fun.
11. He's a great listener and fun to talk to.
12. He always seems to find new ways to make me feel special and loved.
13. He always believes in me and gives me the confidence to push myself.
14. He's extremely selfless, always thinking of ways to make others feel good.
15. He's thoughtful and romantic.
16. He's giving and loves to spoil me.
17. He's responsible and thinks of everything.
18. He easily forgives and forgets.
19. He is very intelligent.
20. He has an incredible memory and reminds me of every detail of us dating.
21. He is very athletic.
22. He's a great public speaker.
23. He's a people-person (very outgoing) and makes friends easily.
24. He always makes me proud.
25. I had a high standard of character growing up with my dad as the measure, but he meets it in every way.
26. He truly makes me feel like the most blessed girl in the world.

Happy Birthday!!! Thank you for being you!

This is going around, so I thought I'd join in on the fun...

A is for age: 25 years

B is for booze: Water with lemon, Diet Coke, and coffee

C is for career: teacher, for the summer...stay-at-home aunt

D is for dad's name: Mike

E is for essential item to bring to a party: my camera

F is for favorite songs at the moment: anything Zoe Group, and that Black-eyed-pea song "Don't Mess with my Heart"

G is for goof off thing to do: read, listen to my ipod, look at people's blogs and pictures on line, walk, watch tv

H is for hometown:

I is for instrument you play: piano (a little)

J is for jam or jelly you like: pumpkin butter

K is for kids: love them, looking forward to that stage

L is for living arrangements: house

M is for mom's name: Roberta

N is for name of good friend: my mom and sis, old friends and church friends

O is for overnight stays in hospital: 1 for appendectomy, 1/2 for cardiac ablation

P is for phobias: crawly bugs, speaking in a formal setting, heights

Q is for quotes you like: Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, Be a steak not a hamburger

R is for longest relationship: Mom, Dad, Elizabeth, Michael

S is for siblings: one brother , one sister

T is for Texas: The coolest state!

U is for unique traits: I have traveled to almost every state and seen around 16 countries, I was in a Christian kid's tv show when I was in second grade

V is for vegetables that you love: broccoli, green beans, red peppers, squash, zucchini, artichokes, asparagus, brussel sprouts (I'm getting hungry!!!)

W is for worst trait: laughing in inappropriate situations, inability to speak formally

X is for X-rays you've had: teeth

Y is for yummy food: fajitas, salmon, steak, pork tenderloin, fruit, veggies, chips and salsa, dark chocolate, Elizabeth's cookies and desserts, queso

Z is for Zodiac sign: Taurus

We are back from our last trip for the summer. Josh and I went to Daytona Beach, Florida, with his family. We had a great time and really enjoyed getting to spend time with his sister, Jo Anna, her family, and his mom, Anna. They go up every summer and get the same condo, which is right on the beach. We did a whole lot of nothing, which was lots of fun! I got to read a lot everyday and just finished French Women Don't Get Fat, by Mireille Guiliano. That is a GREAT book, and I highly recommend it. It's not your typical diet book. It's more like a book about a healthy lifestyle. I'll talk about that in another blog. Some highlights from the trip were:

*taking long walks on the beach with Josh (45 minutes to an hour each day)
* eating my brother-in-law, Billy's cooking (he's a great chef)...which erased all of that walking!
* driving to see the space shuttle launch, which got canceled, but still neat to see
* seeing dolphins swimming very close to shore
* make-overs with Jo Anna and Anna (Jo Anna did me, I did them)
* relearning how to do a back-dive (a 15 year old girl taught me)
* reading in a lawnchair for hours on the beach (with tons of sunscreen on), sitting right where the water comes up and spashes your legs.
* playing fun water games in the pool with Josh, Jo Anna, and Hannah
* laughing hysterically and talking with Jo Anna
* getting to be with Josh all day instead of just 2-3 hours a day
* getting to spend the night with Josh's dad, Joe, in Atlanta Saturday night

This weekend started off with a fun double date with our good friends, the Simcox's. They are going to be moving in a few weeks =(, so we are trying to see them as much as we can. We finally got into Cheddar's (everytime I go, there is an hour to hour and a half wait), and then went to Barnes and Noble to drink coffee and chat. Then we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which was very good. I had a hard time getting past the fact that he was married to Jen at the time, but it was still very entertaining! On Saturday, the guys (my dad, brother-in-law, and Josh) met my brother in Dallas and went to a Ranger's game. While they were gone my sister, mom, niece, and I hung out and had some fun girl time. Since Josh wouldn't be back until late, I decided to have my nephews, Matthew and Thomas, spend the night. We had lots of fun as usual, but it kind of turned into a crazy night. We went to the store and picked out their favorite kind of cookies, icing, and sprinkles. Then we had a good time decorating them. That took so long that it was just about bedtime by the time we finished. After reading them 3 stories and saying prayers, they were just about down. When I went to get ready for bed, Matthew saw the phone and decided to call Elizabeth to say good-night. She was talking to a friend on the other line, and Matthew got really upset that he couldn't talk to her. Well, things just went downhill from there, and Matthew started crying and saying that he wanted to go home. Then, that got Thomas crying, so I took them both home! When we got there, Matthew changed his mind and said, "I just wanted to see Mommy and then go back with you!", like I had misunderstood him! So, I said that was fine and we went back to my house. When we got there, I discovered that my phones were completely dead. They had been working earlier, so that kind of scared me a little (especially since Josh wasn't there). I called Josh and they weren't going to be home for a long time, so when my cell phone started running out of batteries, I decided to go back over to Elizabeth's with Matthew and wait until the guys got home. Of course, all this time, Matthew is loving this, because he was getting to stay up really late. Finally, Matthew went to sleep, and I went home with Josh at about midnight. No phone line had been cut by an intruder (like my mind had led me to believe), and everyone is a little tired today! Tonight, we are having a going away party for two of our couple friends from church, so I am off to clean!

I was at the gym the other day (I'm trying to get back in the habit), and I saw one of the mothers of one of my kids from this past year. We were happy to see eachother since we had seen eachother almost every day this past year before or after school. She told me that her son was in the aerobics room doing some kid activities. I walked in to say hi, and he didn't even recognize me!! This was a boy who I had spent 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with for 9 months and who would give me lots of hugs every day. He looked at me squinting his eyes, and I said, "It's Mrs. ...", and he just barely mumbled hi and walked away! That made me sad, but I guess he was just surprised to see me in a place other than school!

I hope everyone had a fun-filled 4th of July weekend! I loved it being on a Monday this year, because I got a 3 day weekend with Josh. Josh and I finally got the house clean and organized after our trip, which makes me just as happy as if we'd done something exciting and fun! Not that I love doing it, but the feeling afterwards is wonderful. We saw two good movies this weekend. Saturday night after dinner, Josh, Joey (his best friend since Kindergarten from Atlanta who's here for 3 years for law school), and I went to see Batman Begins and loved it!! Then Sunday night, we did the exact same thing, different movie. We saw War of the Worlds, which was a good movie, but VERY suspenseful. It's more of a guy movie than girl. Monday, we got up bright and early and went to a 4th of July breakfast at our church with the older people. Some friends of ours said it was fun hearing all of the vet stories and singing traditional 4th of July songs, so we went and had a great time! I really enjoy talking to old people. Then we just enjoyed our day off, and had a family cook-out. We usually watch fireworks, but we stayed in and enjoyed the specials on tv (how old are we?).

We got back last night from our trip to New England. Deirdre, my cousin closest to me in age, got married in her hometown in Selden, New York, (on Long Island) and I was a bridesmaid. It was a traditional Catholic wedding, so needless to say, we had tons of fun! Most of that side of the family lives on various parts of New England, so it was so nice to get to see them all and for Josh to get to know them better. Because they live so far away, Josh had only seen them at our wedding. He was a trooper and really tried to get to know everyone, which really meant a lot to me. He was fascinated by the culture up there and all of the accents of my family. They liked his, too! We had a wonderful time and got to see many beautiful places. Last Friday, while the girls did wedding stuff, my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and Josh drove through the Hamptons and out to Montauk Point. That is the very end of Long Island and is beautiful. That night everyone came together for the Rehearsal Dinner, and my mom, aunts, sister, and I sang "May You Always". The next day was the wedding. One of the neat things about this wedding was that Deirdre's fiance (now husband) was from Finland, so his family and friends all came over from Finland. His sister, Jenny (pronounced Yenni) Vartiainen, is a famous rock/pop star over there! I asked her tons of questions about fame (she could speak English very well) and the business. She is dating the #2 wedding dress/jewelry designer in Finland and told me of how they'll kiss in public and it's all over the news. If you know me at all, you know that I was in awe of all of that! Anyways, back to our trip. Sunday, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, brother, Josh, and I took a ferry over to Conneticut and drove to Newport, Rhode Island. That is the incredibly beautiful town where my parents met. We ate incredible New England clam chowder, shopped, and did some sight-seeing. After that, we headed to my aunt and uncle's house on the Cape. This was my favorite place to go growing up, so I was sooo excited to be back there and show it all to Josh. The Cape is a fun place to go to either use as a base to travel around to places like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, etc., or to just stay and do fun things like go out on the river behind their house, walk to the beach, etc. Josh got initiated into our family the second night we were there by eating raw clams! Everyone in our family has to do that, but the funny thing was that they didn't realize that I had never done it before. I kind of snuck by! I decided, though, when I was there to come clean, and I tried it with him. It was not too bad (I drowned it with cocktail sauce), but the texture really got to me. We had fresh lobster twice and delicious ice cream every night. The Cape has a place called Sundae School with incredible ice cream and a neat atmosphere. I had withdrawals last night when we got back! It's a good thing that we don't have it here, though! We only made one outing, since it was a short visit, to Chatham, one of my favorite places to go for shopping up there. As much as I love it up there, I was very happy to come home to our part of the country and get back to normal life! I will post pictures later from the trip.