Seven

My parents left last week for a mission trip in Vermont & Maine.  In their absence, the Mr and I kept our nephew, Lucas, for the weekend.  However, this wasn't just any weekend, it was his 7th birthday weekend.

Let me back up by saying first, that when the situation involves my house and Lucas, I no longer exist.  I am simply the person who makes him behave resulting in my being a stick-in-the-mud.  The Mr., his brother and my in-laws are his absolute favorite. 

From the moment he arrived on Tilley Creek, he was wide open.  He couldn't wait to see Matt Matt, Luke, Mr. Sammy & Mrs. Michelle.  He also was very concerned as to when he was going to be able to open his birthday present(s).  He talked of what his hoped his gift would be, how cool he knew it was going to be, and how he couldn't wait to open his presents.  He was one anxious child.

Saturday morning arrived all too early, as I was woken by a tap on my shoulder, "Deej, is it time to get up?"  We got up and I had to send the Mr to the store to pick up icing for the birthday cake and to get Lucas' birthday present.  While he was gone, I began working on Lucas' birthday breakfast, french toast.

Matt finally got back home and Lucas was able to open his present.  Out the door Lucas flew as fast as he possibly could.

*A fierce Shark helmet.*

*Look at that face!  He's trying real hard to get the wrapping off.*

*A BMX bike and a Shark helmet for a Big 7 year old boy!*

 

Lucas had a special present from Papa.  It was a collector's edition John Deere knife.  He kept saying how awesome that it was a John Deere knife.  Papa made his day!

After he opened his bike and rode it up and down the driveway and through the garden, oh, some gazillion times, he came inside for his French Toast Breakfast.  Birthday candle included.   

 

He literately snarfed his breakfast down and then back outside he went.  While he and the Mr went fishing, rode bikes, and played with the dogs, I finished icing the birthday cake.

After getting showers, we went to our niece's soccer game.  Afterwards the game, Lucas & Alannah piled into the truck and headed to Asheville to the WNC Nature Center.  I had never been to the Nature Center and I had a blast.  The only animal that we didn't get to see was the Bobcat.  It was hiding really well. 

*Black Bear*

*Three Stinkers and a random kid*

*Mountain Lion*

 

After the Nature Center we headed to the mall so the kiddos could jump on the trampoline thing. They had a blast! Once the jumping and dinner were over, it was time to head home.  Although this time, Alannah was coming back home with us for a sleep over along with Lucas.  The two of them were thrilled. 

We arrived home and Lucas and Alannah had us all in stitches laughing at their antics. 

*Got any cheese?*

We turned off all the lights, lit the birthday candles and sang Happy Birthday to Lucas.  He was beaming from ear to ear, it blessed my heart. 

*Happy Birthday, dear Lucas*

 

Happy 7th Birthday, Lucas.  I hope that it was all that you wished it would be!  XoXo.

Matt's 27th Birthday -- 03.05.10

Before I even start…..I know what you are thinking, “she didn’t post anything between January and March.” Although this may be somewhat true, it is somewhat false. If you remember correctly, those three months of my life seemed to be the worst part of 2010 thus far. Check out the post here. Although I’ve skipped some time – those three months were definitely very eventful.

March 5th was Matt’s 27th birthday. I had taken part of the day off because we had planned a cookout and bonfire and I needed to get started on the cooking.

I prepared the hamburgers, the kielbasas, and hotdogs. I made Mom’s famous and delicious baked beans, I grilled onions, peppers & jalapenos for the sausages, and we had some potato chips. I ordered cupcakes from Patty Cakes Bakery as well.

Around 7ish people started arriving. We had a small group of close friends come enjoy the evening with us. It really was a great time.

"Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday to you!"

Matt and I

Gayle, Clarissa, Tabitha, me & Mickey

Old Friends.  Tabitha & Matt

Me and Gayle

Mickey, Matt & Barney

It was so cold outside, but we really enjoyed the warm of the fire and of great friendships.

Happy New Year! (and Happy Birthday Clarissa!)

New Years Eve was a grand time.  A dear friend's (Clarissa) birthday is December 30th.  So she invited several of us to Resturant 553 in Sylva.  We all dressed up, looking all snazzy and went for dinner.  We ended up just getting appetizers b/c the menu was riculously expensive.  But anyway, we all had a blast.   Afterward dinner, we went back to the Ashe home, where we rang in 2010. 

Here are some photos: 

Me, Matt & Hilton

Matt & I in front of the Ashe's Christmas Tree

The Birthday Girl and her Hubs

Clarissa & Matt

Amanda, me, Tabitha, Clarissa & Kelly

Gayle, me, Clarissa, Kelly, Megan, Tabitha & Amanda

My 28th Birthday

*Disclaimer:  I am well aware that my recent posts have been 1) out of chronological order; and 2) way past due.  I'm just glad that I am on the ball and actually writing about it!*

On December 16, 2009, I turned 28.  Matt had a little dinner planned for me at Speedy's Pizza in Sylva.  I really enjoyed spending the evening with such great people! 

My dearest and I

Birthday Cake!

A dear friend.

Barney and Dan

Miss Amati and me

Mickerdoodle and myself

I'm an Honorary Ashe!

I'm the back-up BFF

Candace and I

28 years and counting

On December 16th, I turned the big 2-8. 

I don't particularly like getting older, but at the same time, it happens at the same speed for every other human that has ever walked or will walk this Earth.  So since there isn't a lot I can do about, I just take it with a grain of salt. 

Birthdays are usually nothing special and really this year wasn't any different.  I don't say that in a mean way.  I'm just saying that a birthday is just another day where I can eat cake and not feel guilty about it. :) haha  And for those of you who have a December birthday, there is usually so much going on with Christmas plays, Christmas parties, family gatherings, etc that there usually isn't time for anything else. 

But Matt surprised me with a dinner at Speedy's with some special friends.  It was casual and small but it was nice nonetheless. 

For some reason, this year's birthday just felt different than any other.  I don't know why and can't pin point anything any different than past birthdays.  But nonethless I enjoyed my time laughing and eating with a handful of friends. 

For my birthday, Matt gave me cash to take with me on my NYC trip that took place the beginning part of December.  (I know, I know!  I've not blogged about it yet.  It will have to be a mini-series and I just haven't had the time to start and then post them consecutively.  I will get it posted and photos up very soon!)

I received wonderful gifts from family and friends as well.  I don't ever expect anything for my birthday, I don't necessarily want anything for my birthday - tangible that is.  However, I do enjoy spending time with family and friends on my birthday; gifts & cake are just a perk! haha 

Thank you to everyone for sharing my birthday with me, whether it be in person, or via emails/texts/facebook posts.  I really appreciated every single one of them!

Birthdays!

Today is my dearest sister's birthday. Nancy turned 25 today. 

I love my sister to death.

We have our "moments" like any other siblings would have....but we get along great.

Although there are times when Nancy can make me madder than a hornet....she can crack me up and make me laugh hysterically.

I love it when we send each other stupid emails/text messages that bring a smile to the other's face.

I also love that we can talk about the serious stuff without judgment from the other.

I love that she wants me to play "dares" with her at random and most inconvient times.  Most often I never partake of the dare, but still...its is hysterical just thinking about it. 

Nancy is a wonderful Christian woman.  She is a fabulous sister, a great wife, and one day I know she will make the perfect mother.

She is passionate about everything that she does.  Whether it be scrapbooking or whether it be volunteering in a third world country as she spreads the Word of God.

I love my sister.  She is my best friend.

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Today is also my nephew's birthday.

Lucas was born on 9.22.05.

Lucas stole my heart the moment I first saw him.

Over the last four years, this kid has continued to make me smile in so many ways.

Yes, he definitely can make me want to pull my hair out and sometimes I second guess as to whether or not I want children of my own....but it never fails that he says something that makes me melt.

This child has been a blessing and has helped to heal the sorrows of losing my brother 3 years ago.

I know that he has been a God send to my father.  He will always be "Papa's Little Boy".

My prayer is that Lucas will know that God comes first in everything.  That he will always have someone to turn to in his hours of need as he grows into a Godly Christian man.  I also pray that I can always be a positive influence.  That he can always see the Love of Jesus through my actions.

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Tonight we had took Lucas to see The Jungle Book, by the Overlook Theater.  It was fabulous and Lucas had a great time.  He was slightly scared at times of Shere Khan.  But he enojyed it nonetheless.

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Tomorrow after church we are having cake and ice cream for Nancy and Lucas.

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I count my blessings everyday that I have such a wonderful family and for what they mean to me.  I am a lucky girl!