And this is why I like vacations.....

They force me to SLOW THE HECK DOWN!!!

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday....CRAZY Schedule!
Thursday-on....Pack and leave for Vacation!!!!

CJ turns 30

So many of you that follow my blog know that CJ's name comes up a lot!  Well that is mainly cause she is awesome, but also cause in the past few years I have come to think of her more as family than a friend.  She is family in every sense of the word: she has listened to me complain about things in my life, has given me support and words of encouragement as I work through my various issues, she came into my house and cleaned up my dirty dishes and unloaded my dishwasher this past Sunday when I was not feeling well, she will go out of her way to make my day a little brighter, she has offered to take the dogs out when neither my mom or I could be there, and she is willing to go on crazy vacations with me!  If that is not family, I don't know what is!  Well since this year was the big 3-0, I felt like I needed to dedicate a blog to CJ today!  So here it is CAROLYN--it's your birthday (well it was yesterday)!!!

Crazy Fun

Adventurous

Responsible  (she is always ready and prepared)!!

One of a Kind and Open-minded!

Loyal

Youthful

Nice (I know its lame but there are not many 'N' describing words)

CJ, I hope this birthday is the best one yet and really how can it not be, we are visiting 11 states to celebrate it!  I am so happy our random first meeting 9-10 years ago would eventually turn into such a great friendship!  Thanks for all you do for me every day and most of all, thanks for being a great friend!  Happy 30th birthday!

Joyful

  

Awesome

Magnificent or Magical with how often you sneak into my house!

Energetic

Sassy!!!

Monument 10k Cheering Party

Well it is no secret, I am not much of a runner!  Sooo, what else is there to do but get other non-runners together for a cheering party for the runners! That is just what we did!  On Saturday, April 13th was the annual Monument 10k, this race in Richmond where 30,000+ people gather together to run/walk a 10k down Richmond's historic Monument Avenue.  

Lila, Kristi, me and CJ in our matching shirts and Tutus!!!

This is just a few of the 30,000+ racers!

A person in costume, there were not too many!

Cheering for the runners!
Ryan Gosling says "Hey girl, I'm waiting for you at the finish line."

Our cheering group:
from Left to Right:
Rachel, Lila, CJ, Elaine, Me (with poster), Kristi, Kathryn (a runner too but chose to cheer with us this year), Erica (actually is a runner but came to cheer anway), Aubrey, Allison (also a runner), and Paul!

All in all, we had a great time.  Near the end, a lady from the cheering contest came up and asked us if we were registered as a cheering/spirit team. Unfortunately we were not (I found out the day before the race that there was a prize for that--but the deadline to register was 2 weeks ago).  But she said to register next year cause she thought we had great outfits!  So here is hoping for a spirit win next year!

ONE WEEK...

All that stands between me and 10 days of blissful, albeit adventurous, vacation is ONE WEEK!  I can do this!

Let's break that down by the numbers, shall we?
1 -10k cheering team time
2 - nights hanging out with ERICA!
1 - 30th birthday part of the imfamous CJ
1 - Sunday on nursery service
1 - Hospitality team Sunday
1 or maybe 2 tax filings (may have to do Nannie's)
1 - afternoon of laundry and cleaning
1 - youth group
1 - bible study
1 - deacon meeting
1 - helping my mom set up for a bridal shower
1 - night of packing
1 - early bedtime
4 - days of work
1 - EARLY plan ride!!!!


I think I can handle this!!!  

A tale of two dogs...

He only looks sweet and innocent....

.....this little guy has officially decided that wake up time (aka his breakfast time) is at 5:30 AM.  But Brutus, mommy wants to sleep in past 5:30.  Do you think he cares?  NOPE!!!  He has also decided that he is in fact sweet and deserves to be cuddled up on even if it is 80 degrees outside in the middle of the night.  Needless to say, I like it much better when my mom is taking care of him! haha  And Gizmo you ask?  Well he is practically perfect, he sleeps in his own bed and will sleep in as late as you want.  When you sit on the couch, he is super happy to sit with you so you can pet him.  His one flaw....barking!  But then again so does Brutus, so who is to judge?

Flashback Wednesday

I found these old pictures at my mom's house this week, so enjoy!!!

Little Laura rocking the shades and what looks to be a Hello Kitty swimsuit, I was so cool before Hello Kitty was cool!
Dr. Beabout would flip out about that gap in my teeth!

Here I am again sporting a trend-to-be, rocking out in the one piece jumper!

Bunny goes to the Ferris Wheel

Looks like someone got their act together and finally uploaded this video from over a week ago...Corbin taking his bunny to the Fair!