I'm Out!

After 2 + wonderful years, I have been released from being the Laurel Advisor in my ward.  *Deep Sigh*  I knew it was coming.  They called three new women to take over the presidency of the Young Women's program.  And I had the feeling that they were looking for a fresh start.  I just didn't really know they would be starting from scratch!!  I feel like I've been fired.  So sad.....

But, what I've recognized from this is that Change Is Good.  These Young Women in my ward are
A-MAZING.  Seriously.  They are so caring and willing to go the extra mile on just about anything.  And man, do they make me LAUGH!!!  But, they have some GREAT new women that have been called to be their leaders/teachers and I'm glad to know they are in such good hands.

It's been so appropriate that I've been in there with these girls because even though I'm 40....I feel (and certainly act like) a silly teenager.  And my girls can attest to my behavior.  They know I can hang with them....and I know all of the teen lingo and such.  I'm a great texter, and I love me some Facebook.  I can be an uber dork when I'm with them....especially at Girls' Camp.  They LOVED it when I did the Single Ladies' dance.  Right girls???

So, to my sweet Young Women....it has been an HONOR to be with you.  To teach you.  To serve you.  To know you.  To love you.  I will always be here if you need me.  For anything.

And to my Laurels....I'm sorry that my last lesson that I taught you had to be the.... you know.....the sex lesson.  Hope that's not the reason I was released. I was kind of blunt.  But remember what I taught you!  Peanut butter is so much better when it's in chocolate!!!!  Love you!

Better late than never...

Well, we got Netflix for the Wii last week.  Uh......RAD!!!  I don't know what took us so long.

Anyway, we discovered Lost.  I know, I know....a little late to the party.  But oh my heck!  So LOVING the show!  Courtney is watching it with us (the other two aren't as into it) but Hugh and I have been staying up way past our bedtime to watch as many episodes as we can.  It's so mysterious!!!  We are only in the first season, so we have quite a bit of watching to do.  Hey, can't beat cheap entertainment!

Under Contruction

For the LONGEST time, we have been telling the girls that we are going to re-do their room.  Well, that time has FINALLY come.  Hugh has no other projects on his agenda, so I snuck in and told him IT'S TIME!!!  Hugh has some amazing skills, and he is going to recreate this awesome bed we have been oogling from Pottery Barn Teen.  It cost about a gagillion dollars at PB Teen, but Hugh is going to make it himself!  That's the dude he married.  He's so rad. 

So, for the next few months, he'll be working on that while I clean out their room.  That is going to be a CHORE!!!

Oh, and new flooring too.  :) 

Smokin' Hot Ladies Turn 40!!!

Back row:  Julie, Debbie, Jen, Tracy & me

Front row:  Illene, Debbie & Kristi

Last Friday, me and my lady friends got together for dinner to celebrate our 40th year!  Hard to believe.  A few of us have been friends since we were 5.  Yes, 5.  We've known each other for a LONG TIME.  Illene, Debbie, Kristi and I have gone to school together since Kindergarten.  Julie came along in Junior High.  Then Tracy, Jen, & Debbie joined us in High School. 

We've been though a lot together.  And we love each other.  It's so great to have girlfriends who have seen you at your worst and at your best.  We've survived marriage, divorce, having kids, losing our kids, losing our parents, and the Big C - Cancer.  And when we get together, it is as if no time has passed.  We laugh about the same stupid things we did back in the day.  (Sorry folks, due to Girl Code, those details cannot be discussed here.)

Ladies....always a pleasure.  Until next time.

Courtney & Connor's Beach Party Blow Out - Part 2!

Oh. My. Goodness. Kathy Scoffield - photographer extraordinaire - took pictures of the set up of the party on Saturday, and I am SO HAPPY with how they came out!!!! Everything was so bright and colorful! It was such a fun day, and I'm so glad I have these pictures to remind me of how beautiful everything looked. Thanks Kathy!

The delicious cupcakes were baked by Courtney & then frosted by Wendy & Courtney.  Courtney...my little Cake Diva.

These cookies were absolutely AMAZING!  Flip flops, beach balls, beach umbrella, and sunglasses.  Super duper cute.  All provided by The Cookie Jar.

Couldn't get enough of these cookies!!

The yard....before the dust storm (almost) came.  That was a bit stressful. 

Can I just say that I LOVED these monkeys!

I provided "Drink Tickets" to the kids for the Slushie Machine.

Corn dogs, fruit kabobs, and ....

Beach Bunny Snacks (caramel corn), Bahama Mama Mix (Munchies chip mix), and

The Big Cheese Daddy (cheese puffs).  I got this adorable idea from here.

Drinks...

Lots of beach balls....

Lights & lanterns.

We rented a Slushie Machine from Tropical Breeze Frozen Drinks.  Um....the Pina Colada??  Delicious!! 

Sweet Storie.  Love this little one.

Wow.  I've never seen my pool so full!!

First of all, I have to thank my kids for putting up with my craziness as I planned this little gathering!!!  And my dear sweet husband, who is the HOTTEST landscaper around!

Kathy Scoffield - Thank you for coming over and capturing such beautiful images - even when we thought it was going to all blow over as that dust storm started to move in!!  Thank you for keeping your cool while I was completely freaking out!  You are a fantastic photographer!

The Cookie Jar - Thank you for such AMAZING cookies.  You are a cookie genius!

Polka Dot Market - Thank you for the fun and festive lanterns!  They are gorgeous!

The King Family - Thank you for letting us come over and raid your Party Closet!  If we can ever return the favor, just holler!!

A big thank you to the rest of my family and friends who put up with my obsession of throwing the coolest 13th birthday party ever.

And Kim, my party hero, thank you for your inspiration, your creativity, your brain, all of your help and advice.  And thank you for the wonderful Surf Collection that you created for this special occasion!  Thank you for allowing me into your life and being a party of the marvelous and delicious world known as The TomKat Studio.  Best. Job. Ever.