Birthday For the Seasoned Man ~

The Birthday Guy

(photos taken with cell phone, not the best)

We went to a local Day Spa to begin the birthday celebration.

Started with a steam bath for 25 minutes, then to the

 55 minute couples massage....just what he needed.

I didn't mind it much either.....

He was so happy with my choice to do this!

 Just outside the doors of the Spa was

Cruising Grand.

A Friday evening event of collectible cars parked and cruising an area

of about 8 city blocks. 

He was happy with this too!!

We look short in this photo? Old age?????

Dinner was on Grand at Vinz, I reserved table outside

so we could watch the cars go by...

A live band playing country music on the opposite corner of the street.
Nothing wrong with live music, while enjoying a meal!

 A toast to 66 ~ It's not so bad :-)

Saw some cute dogs wearing visors too....  :-)

Limo with a big Teddy Bear in the 4th window back.....

Bob's surprise dinner guests our old neighbors and great friends

Bob and Cathy. We had such a great evening with them.

Cruising into another year a happy man......

A happy Buster is what echos from my heart.....

Poppin's Practaically Perfect In Everyway!

What a night! 

We had a great picnic dinner of fried chicken and the works prior to the start of the show.

Khloe was super excited...she spent much of the time on my lap so I spent much of my time

watching her priceless expressions.  Overall she kept nearly perfect timing with all of the music, and continually would ask, "Namaw, when do we get to clap?"  Each time there was call for applause it was rather funny to see her big grin and hearty applause.

 It was over all a great family event and look forward to next year!

Both Ellery and Khloe were super good (6:30-11:00 P.M.)

Khloe hung in there till the very end :-) Ellery slept through most the second half .....

The happiest little family....

Her new funny face!

Pa and I had the best anniversary, truly!

We both left feeling very happy about how we spent our 

14th year celebration.

Now on to today's festivities.....Buster's (Pa) Birthday is today.

I have a few surprises in the works....

I hope you enjoy the photos from last night!

Ellery too would join in on the applause....

July is our busiest month....this was just one great part of it all!

Tuckered out but  we'll start the festivities up again today at 4:00P.M.

Stay tuned!

Pending surprises for those I love.....it's what echos from my heart today...

Our I Do Day !

I had reached the point of being content in being the single Mom.
It was a big deal at that time and I was surprised just how okay I was without
a significant other.

Then I was introduced to Bob.... we lived 30 minutes away from each other,
and I loved him almost immediately. I loved that he owned a Bible, that we were
of the same faith, and that he loved music.
  I really loved that he had his young son living with him,
it said a lot to me about the kind of Dad he was.

Our courtship was very rocky....we broke up often! In all we dated for four years
prior to chosing to marry.
Those that were close to us understandably thought we were crazy
getting married...and feared it wouldn't last.
Fortunately we had the maturity to know, these people loved us and only wanted what was
best for us, therefore we certainly did not take it personally.
It was up to us to show them we were committed and we would spend the rest of our lives doing just that.

For better, for worse, forever.

~
Bob had fallen in love with Montana.
I suggested we marry on the Gallatin River.
 I was blessed that my parents were both present along with about 20 other family members.
~
I woke that morning to rain.  Not conducive with an outdoor I do event.....
After leaving the courthouse with our license, my hubstir to be pulled the car
over as my eyes filled with tears.  "Do you want me to pray?" I nodded yes.
He asked God for the skies to clear and for a beautiful day.It continued to rain for several hours.
 As we made the trip down the winding road toward our destination
I recall wondering how this was going to work with the rain?

Minutes prior to pulling into our spot the rain subsided and the sky was suddenly  Big Montana blue
with little white puffy clouds.
The scent in the air was how pine trees smell after a good rain.
It was perfect.
We had a very casual service with a Christian message on marriage and what love is!

~
Today is 14 years since our I do's.

 It hasn't been with out challenges, no relationship is.
It's a constant effort to not think solely of self but to think of him and us.

I love you Bob, hubsitr, Mr. Horton, Sgt. Horton,
my Buster ....

~

Lord, give me fresh perspective, a positive outlook and a renewed relationship with the man You've given me.  
Only You are perfect, and I look to You to perfect us. 
 Help me see him with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance.
Teach me how to pray for my husband and make my prayers a true language of love.  Make me a new person.
Give my husband a new wife, Lord, and let it be me. 
(Stormie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Wife )

It's what echos from this brides heart today......

Wednesday Hodge Podge ~ July Stuff

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things." So what has experience taught you lately?

Getting through a rough patch can be a long, trying road.

 It's only when you reach the other side

you realize it was all worth it and all are the better because of it.

(insert happy dance)

2. Where did you last 'roam'?

Most likely in Barnes and Noble...I could spend hours roaming books and music.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?

Well, before Atkins it would have been pasta...now it's a treat.

 I would have to choose gelato, salted caramel to be specific...

This indulgence would need to be monitored closely...if ya know what I'm say'in..... ~ smile

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.

All roads lead to Rome/my office. Everyday I want to de- clutter and reorganize.

I walk in look around and walk out.  Repeat every couple hours.

I so want to get it done before I have the kids full time again...just haven't managed it,

yet the road keeps leading me there. :-(

5. What's a movie you've seen or a book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?

Though I wasn't a big fan of the book, Eat, Pray, Love....

The time spent in Italy made me want that experience of renting a little place, enjoying the food and meeting

the towns people. It wouldn't hurt that they happen to have gelato :-)

An episode of Little People, Big World made me want to go all the more....


6.  Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago, on July 17, 1955  Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?

I grew up going to Disneyland every year, three times a year.

Once with church group, once with our visiting relatives in the summer and then once with a local company

called TRW night that our neighbor got us tickets for.

I couldn't wait to be tall enough for Autopia, so wanted to drive those cars.
I'm sad the cost is so ridiculous now...

$96 per person over age 10 is pretty steep, plus the cost of food for the day !

 Imagine the cost for a family of four?

It is a magical experience, must do it at least once :-)

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?

I was stung in June while floating in a pool in Palm Desert,

remember the vampire bee sting? ~ smile
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Thursday is Pa and I's 14 year anniversary ! 
I love this man, he is such a hard worker and often does special things for me, just because.
The kids and grand kids mean so much to him, he is always available to help out if any of the kids need something fixed or installed and  he really is a fun Pa to the little ones.

We are taking Khloe and her family to see a production of Mary Poppins
at our nearby  Moonlight Amphitheater. This is part one of her birthday presents from us, Pa is
such a good sport to share our day :-)
 Khloe loves the move and singing a Spoonful of Sugar,I just can't wait to see her reaction to a live production.
My little sweet Bean's turning three next week, I just can't believe it.
  She will be starting Preschool three
days a week next month...sniffle sniffle....
She is going to love it!

Life is going by too quickly for me, 
making each day count is what echos from my heart.

A Monday Minute ~ Path of Life

 We never have to walk it alone....

"Keep Walking with Me along the path I have chosen for you.

 Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My Heart.

 I could instantly grant you the spiritual riches you desire, but that is not My way for you.

 Together we will forge a pathway up the high mountain. 

The journey is arduous at times, and you are weak.

 Someday you will dance light footed on the high peaks; but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy. 

 All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction.

 Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. 

 Stay on the path I have selected for you. It is truly the path of Life."
Sarah Young ~ Jesus Calling

A Faith worth clinging to is what echos from my heart today.

Fresh on Friday ~ There is Always a Plan

Be  Encouraged

Regardless of what is happening in your life today......

Have a great weekend !

Go out and encourage someone, it's what echos in my heart today.

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~ Summer

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom?

I can't remember the last time I was bored...there is always reading, blogging, writing, cleaning, gardening and of course Grand kids! 

I suppose if I was bored I would grab Khoe, she can entertain me for hours. 

July could never be boring in our household, 7 family birthdays, and our wedding anniversary.

We are so busy I have little time to blog.....

2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for?

 

Reserved a spot for my 40th class reunion...

(that still doesn't roll of the tongue easily)

3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen?

 

As part of Khloe's birthday present we are taking her and her family to see a live production of Mary Poppins!

(It's bound to be practically perfect in every way.)

4. What's your favorite summertime sip?

 

Ice tea, no lemon, no sweetener.

5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension?

 

Hostility is better ignored, rather let the person be alone in their

bad behavior. Kinda sends the message, it's where they will end up if it continues.

No room in my life nor do I want to spend the time around hostility.

I would pray they find a better way to cope !

6. Your favorite film set in summer?

Rear Window

The sun is shining outside and Jimmy Stewart stuck indoors. :-(

Interesting movie....

 

 On a happier movie note, my choice would be

The Sound of Music (one of my two favorites, Oz the second) 

a beautiful summer in Austria .....

7. What word are you using too much lately? 

Hot

I'm  hot! 

The temps have been warm with a touch of humidity...

I don't do humidity well at all.. 

 8. Insert your own random thought here.  

Asking for prayers of healing for my cousin and her husband  who are both hospitalized.

One had neck surgery for 3 bad vertebrae, the other recently experiencing blood loss and all that would goes along with that.

Also one of our pastors at church is fighting the good fight with leukemia. He and his family have just been through so much. 

We just have so much to be thankful for on a daily basis don't we?

Hoping you will stop and take a moment to pray for them and

to be thankful  yourself.  It's what echos from my heart today...