Aron Allen

Today would be my brother's 33rd birthday! I can't believe how fast time flies. He passed away when he was 21 years old. I miss him so much, everyday! I wish he was here but I know he's in a much better place. This song below reminds me of Aron. Basically it's saying that you wouldn't cry if you knew how absolutely glorious it is in Heaven! The song gets me every time...good tears and good chills! I love how it reminds of how great God really is!


You Wouldn't Cry by Mandisa

All you saw was pain
All you saw was rain
But you should see me now
Moments filled with tears
Lasted all those years
Disappeared somehow
You never said goodbye
On your knees you cry
You’re still asking why, but

Blue has never been bluer
True has never been truer
Honey never tasted so sweet
There’s a song in the breeze
A million voices in praise
A rose has never smelled redder
The sun has never been brighter
If I could find the right words to say
If you could look at my face
If you could just see this place
You wouldn’t cry for me today

What you think you see
Isn’t really me
I’m already home
You’ve got to lay it down
‘Cause Jesus holds me now
And I am not alone
Your faith is wearing thin
But I am watching Him
And He’s holding you too, and

What may seem like years will just be a moment
Oh, the day will come when
I’ll show you where you’re going
I can’t wait to show you that

(1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Happy Birthday, My LOVE!!!

Saturday was Michael's 35th birthday! I planned an all-day date that kept us very busy. I kept the whole thing a secret and he was very surprised at each destination. Here we go...

1st we headed to tour Southfork Ranch, where they taped the show "Dallas" many years ago. Mike loved this show and has basically seen every episode. I've never seen it but the tour was still great fun.


Southfork!!!


the table they would sit at...just like this (Mike says)
one person on each end??


license plate of the car from the show


we stopped for a beer & snack in the middle of our tour


back of the mansion



Next we headed back to Rockwall to San Martino Winery. We have been talking about going to this winery for a few years now and never got around to it...this was the perfect time! We enjoyed their wine-tasting and relaxed outside while sipping on great wine. We bought a bottle and plan on going back with friends!!







From the winery we came home to pick up a bottle of wine and then went to get chocolate from...


Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! mmm!

We took the chocolate & wine on board as we set sail on Seawolf. We went on a Sunset Sail on Lake Ray Hubbard on a huge sail boat that seats 50 people. You are able to bring you own wine/beer/beverages & any food you would like. It was so fun & romantic! The tradition on the Seawolf is when the sun touches the land in the sunset everybody claps and cheers for another glorious day. We had a blast!







Last we went to Blue Canyon for dinner! MMMM. (If you have a BC near you...they offer a FREE meal on your birthday if you sign up on their mailing list thingy). So that was a quick & easy $28 bucks OFF the total bill! I love coupons! :o)



It was definitely a busy Saturday for us so Sunday & Monday we spent relaxing. We had Mike's parents over for dinner last night and today I got a 90-minute massage!! It was soooo amazing! Now I'm headed to watch...you guessed it...THE BACHELORETTE!!! Hope y'all had a great long weekend too!! God Bless America, I'm so thankful for our Freedom on this wonderful Memorial Day and I pray for all of the past, present & future troops!!!

Artfest 2009

YAY!! Finally the 3-day weekend is here!! Tomorrow is Michael's birthday so we started celebrating tonight. We went to the "Wine Stroll" at the Dallas Artfest 2009. It was held at Fair Park. Basically it was a preview of all the art they are showing this weekend and there was of course...free wine & food (with purchase of tickets, of course). It was lots of fun!!! We love art and wine...duh!! :o) Enjoy your long weekend!

another baby card...

Recently we added another person to my family's never-ending list of pregnant girls--we are now up to FIVE! Here is the card I made for my cousin, Simone. This card is similar to the card I made for my sis-in-law but they are on different sides of the family and neither of them read my blog. So, that's okay right? :o)
Geez-oh-Pete's...I can't wait until my 3-day weekend! Lots of fun things planned! YAY!

The BACHELORETTE!!!!

YAY!!! I'm so glad that The Bachelorette has started back up again!! I actually tend to like The Bachelor a bit better--there is something I love about the catty girls in the house fighting for the same guy. On the other hand, there is something cheesy about a bunch of dudes acting like girls going for the same girl. Haha! Well, of course, I was glued to my TV from 8p-10p last night. Hence why I have my big cup of coffee right here next to me. I hate staying up late--but it was oh-so-worth it! :o)

Let me introduce to you...Jillian Harris!



Now let me introduce to you...the guys that I think are the best of the group...
These are in no paticular order but I do like Kiptyn, Jake and Ed the BEST!!!
I can't wait for next week....

Wes

Tanner

Sasha

Juan

Jesse

Kiptyn

Jake

Ed

Paul Graduated!!

This weekend was full of graduation fun. My brother, Paul, graduated from UNT (University of North Texas) on Saturday. He recieved a Bachelors of Arts & Science and is SO glad to be done with school! He has already started his own business and is now able to focus on that 100% of his time. Friday night we had a celebratory dinner at Kobe Steaks--delish! Saturday evening we went to the graduation and he celebrated with his friends afterwards.

Mike & I with my parents and Paul

YAY! He did it!

Paul blowing out the candle

Paul & my Stepdad

I LOVE ALL OF MY MOMS!!!

Happy Mothers Day!! I'm so, very thankful for ALL 4 of my moms!!! Well, let me clarify...my mom, step mom, mother-in-law and step-mother-in-law. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with all four!! Here are some pics of my moms. CHEERS!


me, my mom & my sis in California


me & my mom on my jetski.


my sis, her husband-Ryan, me & my mom--wedding in California


my mom & stepdad, me & mike--dog sledding in Alaska


my nephew Logan & my mom



my dad & step mom


step mom & dad again...they are crazy!! :o)


step mom & me on NYE--told you she's crazy!


mother-in-law, me and my mom at my bridal luncheon


my step-mother-in-law & father in law--wedding rehearsal

How You Live

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger
or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess
and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

-Point of Grace

******************************

This song gives me the chills...good chills!!

I learned how to Stitch!!!

About once a week I go to the local Scrapbook Store to see if they have new products and to browse around. This store has SOOO much fun stuff in there, I could be there for hours! Well that's what I did yesterday. I ended up talking to the sweet lady who works there and she was giving me new ideas for my cards. She taught me how to STITCH!! I was so excited! I know is very simple and I'm sure everybody has hand sewn a button on something or did a quick-fix to a piece of clothing--but NOT me, EVER! My mom is a whiz at all of that and is very crafty with her sewing machine and knitting needles but she never taught me. (I don't think I was ever interested...)

Sooo, now that I learned a new technique, I put it to use. I made my Mothers Day cards today! This first one is for my mom. The flower to the right is my first stitching attempt! She'll be so proud of me! hehe.



This next picture below is the inside of the card. You can't really see it but I have embellished each flower with glitter to the center. I have not written my mushy note in there yet, I still have time. :o)



This next card is for my step-mom. I don't like this card as much as the first...although it does look better in person. (The tag is actually purple IRL.)



I still have 2 more Mothers Day cards to make; one for my mother-in-law and another for my step-mother-in-law. I'm still brainstorming on theirs...